On Thursday, the Punjab government launched an online platform allowing parents from the economically weaker sections (EWS) to apply for their children’s admission to private schools under the Right to Education Act (RTE) of 2009.
A notice released by the Assistant Director of Elementary Education in Punjab indicated that parents belonging to the EWS category and other disadvantaged groups can submit their applications through the portal until 5 PM on April 25.
This marks the first instance of implementing the 25% reservation for EWS students in private educational institutions in Punjab, despite the RTE being enacted over 15 years ago. The new policy will take effect starting with the 2026-27 academic session.
The public announcement specified that 12.5% of the seats will be allocated for EWS groups, including children whose parents possess a valid income and asset certificate. Additionally, another 12.5% will be reserved for disadvantaged groups, which encompasses Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC) (non-creamy layer), children of war widows, those with a minimum 40% disability, children with special needs, and orphans. The distribution of these seats will occur through an online lottery system, as outlined in the notice.
A notification from the Punjab government dated January 7 of this year mandates that private unaided recognized schools reserve 25% of their entry-level seats (nursery, LKG, UKG, and class 1) for children from EWS and disadvantaged backgrounds, as stipulated in section 12(1)(c) of the RTE.
In parallel, Sonali Giri, the Secretary of Education in Punjab, issued guidelines emphasizing that private schools must not discriminate against EWS students in the classroom environment.
The guidelines mandate that private institutions ensure inclusivity, stating that students admitted under these provisions must not be segregated from their peers, nor taught in separate locations or at different times. Discrimination of any kind is strictly prohibited, according to the order.
The directive also emphasizes that equal access must be granted to library resources, information and communication technology (ICT) facilities, extracurricular activities, sports, and other entitlements. Schools are obligated to take proactive steps to create inclusive and safe classroom environments for all children.
The order further warns that any school failing to adhere to these guidelines will face repercussions according to the RTE Act. Additionally, schools will receive reimbursement for the expenses related to the education of EWS children, with payments processed directly into the institutions’ bank accounts by the Punjab government.
The RTE Act, which came into effect on April 1, 2010, established education as a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14. However, the Punjab government had been slow to implement section 12(1)(c) of the Act, which obliges private schools to reserve 25% of their seats for students from weaker and disadvantaged groups. The recent launch of the portal was prompted by a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, aimed at enforcing this 25% quota for EWS children.
