MUMBAI — The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to explain a controversial new policy that significantly tightens the geographical limits for school admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, raising concerns about restricted access to education for economically disadvantaged students.
The 1-Kilometer Radius Controversy
Under a new directive issued in February 2026, the state government mandated that eligible students can only claim the guaranteed 25% free RTE seats in private schools if the institution is located within a strict 1-kilometer radius of their residence. This represents a drastic reduction from previous regulations, which permitted students to select private schools situated up to 3 kilometers away, or occasionally further depending on local availability.
The practical implications of this rule came to the forefront when a father belonging to a Scheduled Tribe community approached the judiciary. He reported being entirely unable to apply for his son's RTE admission because there were zero schools physically located within the newly mandated 1-kilometer boundary of his home.
Court Intervention and Legal Precedent
Taking note of the father's petition, the Bombay High Court has formally issued a notice to the state government, demanding a justification for the restrictive perimeter. During the proceedings, legal representatives highlighted a critical precedent: a 2024 court ruling which explicitly established that physical distance should not be used as a metric to restrict a child's fundamental right to an RTE-mandated admission.
Political Backlash and Financial Strains
The revised admission policy has sparked immediate public pushback. In Pune, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) organized protests condemning the 1-kilometer limitation, arguing that it effectively shuts out marginalized communities from quality private education.
This incident marks the second time within two years that Maharashtra's RTE frameworks have faced significant legal jeopardy. Notably, the court previously struck down a different restrictive admission rule in 2024, citing it as contrary to public interest.
Further complicating the education sector's landscape is an ongoing financial dispute between the state and private institutions. School administrations are expressing mounting frustration over unpaid dues, with the government reportedly owing private schools an estimated ₹2,000 crore for their role in teaching RTE students. This massive backlog threatens to further sour relations between educational providers and state authorities as the admissions crisis unfolds.
No comments:
Post a Comment