Rising numbers, success stories show need for RTE extension

Investment in the future was made over a decade ago, RTE now bearing fruit in Uttar Pradesh

- Rajeev Mullick

LUCKNOW: The Right to Education (RTE) Act, which had a slow start in Uttar Pradesh in the initial years, is now bearing fruit, both in terms of the number of students enrolled under this law and the results showing that even children from the economically weaker sections can excel if they are given the right support.

Over the years, admissions under the RTE Act have gone from strength to strength in Uttar Pradesh. Enacted by the Centre in 2009, the Act was adopted in the state in 2013 but the numbers started picking up in 2015.

Guaranteeing free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years, this law ensures that children have the right to quality elementary education, free from fees or other barriers.

In 2013 and 2014, 54 children each from the economically weaker sections (EWS) got admission under the RTE in Uttar Pradesh. The numbers became much more robust in 2015 when there were 4200 admission under the same Act in the state.

Ten years later in 2025, the admissions under the RTE swelled to 1,85,664 in U.P.

Though benefits under RTE Act do not go beyond Class 8 at present, the rising numbers and the success of select students has strengthened the demand to extend the application of the law till Class 12.

As per rules, 25% of the total seats at the entry level class at the recognised unaided private schools are to be kept for EWS children. However, all minority schools in the state are exempted from RTE. According to an estimate, there are 6.5 lakh seats under RTE in Uttar Pradesh every year. But many a times, private schools deny admission to EWS kids, citing different reasons.

RTE is largely a Union government scheme with the Centre bearing 60% of the expenses and the state government contributing the remaining 40%.