Close on the heels of the Kerala and Karnataka, the Maharashtra Government has recently amended the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009 to reduce the number of students being admitted to unaided private English medium schools, despite the availability of seats in the Government and aided schools.

    The RTE 2009 describes the modalities of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 years under Article 21 A of the Constitution. The RTE act seeks to bring parity and provide equal opportunities to all children.

    The Act specifies minimum norms in elementary schools. It requires all private schools to reserve 25 per cent of seats for economically weaker children (to be reimbursed by the state as part of the public-private partnership plan). The children are admitted to private schools based on economic status or caste-based reservations. It also prohibits....