Chandigarh Private Schools Challenge UT Administration’s RTE Act Interpretation Over EWS/DG Admissions

ISA Alleges Government Violations in Education Accessibility and Reimbursement Policies

The Independent Schools’ Association (ISA) of Chandigarh has strongly opposed the UT Administration’s directive requiring private unaided schools to admit students from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups (DG). The ISA asserts that the Right to Education (RTE) Act explicitly mandates the government—not private institutions—to provide free education to underprivileged students, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to ensure equitable access.

ISA President HS Mamik criticized the UT Education Department’s “illegal interpretation” of the RTE Act, stating that private schools were only permitted to admit up to 25% of EWS/DG students in foundational classes if government infrastructure fell short. He highlighted that the government failed to establish new schools by the 2013 deadline mandated under the Act, suggesting this inaction validated existing government school capacity to accommodate EWS/DG students.

“The government’s delay in reimbursing private schools for EWS/DG admissions violates the RTE Act and risks pushing institutions into financial crisis,” Mamik warned. He accused authorities of misinforming the public by prioritizing private school admissions over government schools, despite available vacancies in state-run institutions. Official data, according to Mamik, reveals a pattern of under-enrolling EWS/DG students in initial classes while expanding capacity in higher grades, effectively diverting children to private schools.

The ISA also raised concerns over the UT’s reimbursement policy, which covers only 70% of fees for 10% of admitted EWS/DG students, leaving 15% entirely free of cost. Mamik questioned the legality of this framework, noting it could force private schools to shut down due to unsustainable financial burdens.

Earlier, UT Director of School Education (DSE) HPS Brar issued an order reaffirming that private unaided schools—both minority and non-minority—must comply with EWS/DG admission norms. This directive cited constitutional obligations and land contract clauses, as government grants of subsidized land were intended for charitable educational purposes.

The Prime News Network will continue to monitor this evolving debate over education policy and its implications for Chandigarh’s school system.