AP govt forms panel to revise RTE free-admission guidelines

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a 16-member state-level committee to review and recommend revisions to guidelines governing 25 per cent free admissions in private unaided schools under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The move is aimed at strengthening implementation of the provision under which children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups are entitled to free admission in private unaided schools. The government said the existing guidelines would be reviewed in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment delivered on January 13 this year and directions issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

School Education Director Tameem Ansaria will serve as chairperson of the committee, while the State Project Director of Samagra Shiksha will be the member-convener. Directors of various departments under School Education, the NTR district education officer, MEOs from Bapatla, legal advisers, an NGO representative, a private schools’ association representative and parents of two students admitted under the RTE provision will be among the members.

The committee has been tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of the RTE Act, Andhra Pradesh RTE Rules, the Supreme Court judgment and NCPCR guidelines before proposing a revised framework. Among its key responsibilities will be recommending a transparent online admission process, disclosure of available seats, mechanisms for fee reimbursement and measures to address practical and legal difficulties encountered in implementing the scheme.

The panel will also identify gaps in the existing system and suggest corrective measures to ensure effective implementation. Importantly, it will recommend safeguards to prevent discrimination against children admitted under the RTE quota in private schools. The government orders constituting the committee were issued by School Education Principal Secretary J. Shyamala Rao, marking a fresh effort to streamline and strengthen the implementation of RTE admissions across Andhra Pradesh.