All pvt schools in Haryana must follow RTE Act: Edu Minister

Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda has said all private recognised schools in the state must follow the Right to Education (RTE) Act. All schools are now required to accept student applications only through the newly launched ‘Ujwal Portal,’ developed by the School Education Department to ensure transparency in the admission process.

Dhanda said in compliance with the RTE Act 2009, all private recognized schools would have to reserve 25 per cent seats for class 1st/pre-primary classes for children from disadvantaged and economically weaker sections under the said Act.

He said all schools had been informed to accurately declare the number of seats available in class 1st or pre-primary classes in their schools. Whether the school had previously shown the 25 per cent seat declaration information or not, they must now accept applications through the ‘Ujwal Portal’.

Parents can apply online for schools within a 1-km radius of their residence. If a recognised private school receives online admission forms for more than 25 per cent seats, a draw will be conducted in the presence of the district-level committee or parents. Schools are also required to follow all updated rules under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. Besides, parents will have to submit all required documents related to their child’s admission directly to the school. The district-level committee concerned will be responsible for any kind of litigation.

An official spokesperson said children of families falling under the latest list of ‘below poverty line’ from both rural and urban areas issued and approved by the Haryana government will be eligible for the scheme. Besides this, HIV affected children, children with special needs and children of widows are also included in the scheme.

Applications under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, 2009, can be submitted from April 15 to April 21, 2025. The last date for admission of beneficiaries is April 25. If any seats remain vacant, students from the waiting list will be admitted between April 26 and May 1.

Haryana Tribune