Pune: RTE Admissions in Maharashtra Set to Commence Next Week Amid Policy Amendments
Pune, 31st March 2024: With amendments made by the Ministry of School Education to the Right to Education Act (RTE), this year has witnessed a significant surge in the number of seats available for RTE admissions in Maharashtra. A total of 9,71,203 seats across 75,856 schools in Maharashtra have been allocated for admissions, with the student registration process set to commence in the upcoming weeks.
Under RTE provisions, 25% of seats are reserved for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring access to education in private schools. Previously, the Ministry of School Education reimbursed fees to private schools for these admissions. However, for the academic year 2024-25, the Ministry of School Education revised the RTE Act, prioritizing government and aided schools over private institutions for admissions. Private school admissions are now limited to areas lacking government or aided school options. This policy shift has faced criticism from the education sector and parents’ associations.
Despite the controversy, school registration procedures have been completed against this backdrop. Sharad Gosavi, Chairperson of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education, has indicated that student registration will commence in the coming week. With these alterations to the RTE framework, the response of parents to RTE admissions remains a focal point of interest, shaping the landscape of educational access and equity in Maharashtra.
