Good news for parents enrolling their children in private schools, the Department of School Education has announced the schedule for the application submission and selection process for the year 2026-27 to get 25 percent free seats in private schools under the Right to Education Act (RTE).
The final list of neighborhood schools, 25 percent seats available in unaided schools for LKG and Class 1 and the number of school-wise seats available in aided schools will be published on the district’s official website on March 10. There will be a trial period for submitting applications from March 11 to 12. Parents seeking admission through RTE have been allowed to apply online from March 16 to April 15.
The final list of eligible candidates for the lottery process will be published on April 21. The first round of seat allocation will be held through an online lottery on April 27. Admissions in schools will be held from April 29 to May 15. The second round of seat allocation will be held online on May 19, the release said.
The Right to Education Act (RTE)
Provides free and compulsory primary education to all children between the ages of 6-14 as a fundamental right. It mandates 25% seats in private schools for weaker sections, prohibits any entrance test or donation, and no-detention of children up to class 8.
Key mandates and provisions of the RTE Act:
Free and compulsory education: Every child between the ages of 6 and 14 has the right to free and compulsory education up to class 8 in a nearby school.
25% reservation in private schools: Unaided private schools must provide 25% seats free of cost at the entry level (nursery or class 1) to economically backward and weaker section children.
Admission rules: There should be no interview or selection process of children/parents during the admission process. Collection of capitation fee or donation is prohibited.
No-detention of children: No child should be detained in a class (fail) or expelled from the school till the completion of primary education (up to class 8).
Age-appropriate Enrollment: An out-of-school child should be directly admitted to a class appropriate to their age.
Quality Standards: Pupil-Teacher Ratio, separate toilets, and drinking water facilities are mandatory in schools.
Implementation: This Act came into force on 1 April 2010.