Patna: Authorities in Patna have announced a crackdown on private schools that refuse to admit underprivileged children under India’s Right to Education (RTE) Act, warning of financial penalties of up to Rs 1 lakh for violations.
The move targets recognised private schools that fail to reserve 25% of entry-level seats for children from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups, as mandated by law. Officials said penalties would also apply to schools that subject such children to interviews or screening tests for admission to nursery or Class 1, practices explicitly prohibited under the act.
In a directive issued to district authorities, Vikram Virkar, director of primary education, instructed district education officers and programme officers under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to ensure strict compliance. The order sets out a graded penalty structure: a first violation will attract a fine of Rs 25,000, rising to Rs 50,000 for a second offence.
The directive also warns against unauthorised operations. Any individual or institution found running a primary school without official recognition could face fines of up to Rs 1 lakh. Schools that continue to operate beyond the stipulated deadline risk an additional daily penalty of Rs 10,000.
The measures come amid growing concerns over non-compliance with RTE provisions, which aim to expand access to education for marginalised communities. Officials say the latest enforcement drive is intended to ensure that private institutions adhere to their legal obligations and do not exclude eligible children.
