The online registration procedure for schools taking part in RTE admissions has started this year, but despite the government’s two extensions of the registration deadline, there hasn’t been much response. There were about 8,863 schools registered last year; this year, there are just 8,490.
MUMBAI: Due to protracted delays in fee payment by the state government, independent self-financed schools around Maharashtra are reluctant to register for admissions under the 25% quota of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. According to school management associations, their institutions are under a great deal of financial strain because almost ₹2,500 crore has been outstanding for the past ten years.
The online registration procedure for schools taking part in RTE admissions has started this year, but despite the government’s two extensions of the registration deadline, there hasn’t been much response. There were about 8,863 schools registered last year; this year, there are just 8,490.
Under the RTE Act, private unaided schools are mandated to reserve 25 per cent of their seats for students from the economically weaker sections (EWS), and the fees of these students are paid by the central and state governments in a 60:40 ratio. Reimbursements have been erratic, delayed, and frequently released in segments since the Act’s implementation in Maharashtra in 2011–12. Many schools’ financial plans have been disrupted by this, particularly those that rely solely on fees for day-to-day operations.
The state education government set the annual RTE refund at ₹17,600 per student seven years ago. However, this sum was lowered to ₹8,000 for the 2020–21 school year. School administrators contend that it doesn’t accurately represent the true expense of education.
The National Independent Schools Alliance’s state leader, Bharat Malik, stated that although schools were prepared to assist the government’s RTE program for EWS children, they still needed to contribute. He told HT that over ₹2,500 crore is still outstanding. “Even when a certain amount is discharged, it is really tiny. This has an impact on how well schools run. In the end, the parents of the remaining 75% of pupils cover the expense.
The Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA) recently held a state-level convention where the issue was also discussed. During the convention, the association made a number of demands, including the waiver of property taxes on school buildings and benefits for teachers in unaided English-medium schools that are comparable to those provided to teachers in government and aided schools. Since the present sum was far less than real expenses, MESTA chairperson Sanjayrao Taydepatil demanded a yearly RTE reimbursement of ₹40,000 per student.
State Acknowledges ₹2,500 Crore RTE Dues to Private Schools; Minority Status Seen as a Way Out
On Friday, during an educational event, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse acknowledged that the state owed private schools significant pending RTE reimbursements. He assured school managements that the payments would be cleared in a phased manner.
Minority Status: An Escape Route
Amid growing financial pressures, many private schools are exploring ways to opt out of the 25% RTE admission quota. One such method is obtaining minority status, which exempts schools from the RTE requirement.
According to sources, around 40 schools in Mumbai have secured minority status over the past five years for this reason, while nearly 120 schools across Maharashtra have done the same.
“While the government is failing to fulfill its responsibility of timely reimbursement, it still insists that schools strictly comply with the RTE Act, forcing institutions to look for alternatives,” said Taydepatil. “Many schools managed by minority groups had not applied for minority status even after the RTE came into force. Now, due to continued government delays, they are pursuing this option to remain financially viable.”
FAQs: Maharashtra RTE Fee Delays and Private School Concerns
1. What is the current status of RTE admissions registration in Maharashtra?
The online registration for schools under the RTE quota has started this year, but response has been low. Despite two deadline extensions, only 8,490 schools registered, down from 8,863 schools last year.
2. Why are private schools reluctant to register for RTE admissions?
Schools are under financial stress due to delayed fee reimbursements from the state government. Approximately ₹2,500 crore has been pending for nearly ten years, causing many self-financed schools to hesitate in participating.
3. What is the RTE quota for private schools?
Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, private unaided schools must reserve 25% of their seats for students from economically weaker sections (EWS).
4. How are the RTE fees reimbursed?
The central and state governments share RTE fees in a 60:40 ratio. However, in Maharashtra, reimbursements have often been erratic, delayed, and released in parts, disrupting schools’ financial planning.
5. What is the current reimbursement rate per student?
Seven years ago, the annual RTE refund was set at ₹17,600 per student, but it was reduced to ₹8,000 for the 2020–21 school year, which schools argue does not cover the actual cost of education.
6. How does delayed reimbursement affect schools?
Delayed payments strain schools financially, forcing them to rely on fees from the remaining 75% of students to cover operating costs, affecting daily operations and quality of education.
7. What has been said by school associations about the issue?
The National Independent Schools Alliance and the Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA) have highlighted the ₹2,500 crore pending dues and demanded reforms, including:
Higher RTE reimbursements (MESTA proposes ₹40,000 per student)
Waiver of property taxes on school buildings
Benefits for teachers comparable to government and aided schools
8. Has the government acknowledged the dues?
Yes. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse confirmed during an educational event that the state owes private schools significant RTE reimbursements and assured that payments would be made in a phased manner.
9. What options do schools have under financial stress?
Many private schools are exploring ways to opt out of the 25% RTE quota, one of which is obtaining minority status, exempting them from the RTE requirement.
10. How common is the minority status option?
Around 40 schools in Mumbai and nearly 120 schools across Maharashtra have obtained minority status over the past five years to avoid financial strain from RTE obligations.
11. Why are schools seeking minority status now?
Schools argue that, despite government delays, they are still required to comply with the RTE Act. Schools managed by minority groups that hadn’t applied for minority status previously are now using it as a financial survival strategy.
12. How does the pending RTE payment affect educational planning?
Schools dependent on fee income for daily operations face budget disruptions, impacting staff salaries, infrastructure maintenance, and the overall quality of education.
13. What has been the government’s response timeline?
While the government has acknowledged the pending dues, payments are expected to be cleared gradually, with no immediate timeline for full settlement.
14. Are all private schools eligible for minority status?
No, only schools that meet certain criteria for minority institutions under Indian education laws can claim exemption from the 25% RTE quota.
15. What is the long-term implication for Maharashtra’s RTE program?
If reimbursements continue to be delayed, more schools may seek minority status or opt out, potentially reducing the availability of RTE seats for economically weaker students in private schools.
