RTE Fee Reimbursement Transferred by CM | 30 Sep 2025
Why in News?
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav transferred ₹489 crore in a single click to 20,652 private schools as fee reimbursement for 8.45 lakh students admitted under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
- From the next academic session, RTE students in private schools will also receive free textbooks and school bags.
- The state has set up the Sandipani School and continues other welfare measures like free bicycles, uniforms, textbooks, scooties for toppers, and laptops for students scoring 75% and above.
Key Provisions of RTE Act, 2009
- Right to Free and Compulsory Elementary Education: Children aged 6-14 years are entitled to free, compulsory education in local schools, with enrollment in an age-appropriate class for those above 6 not in school.
- Aided schools must also offer education for free, proportionate to their funding, but not less than 25%.
- Elementary education is free until completion, and no child can be held back, expelled, or required to pass a board exam before finishing elementary education.
- Curriculum and Recognition: An academic authority designated by the central or state government must develop the curriculum and evaluation procedure for elementary education.
- All schools are required to adhere to pupil-teacher ratio norms and meet prescribed standards before establishment or recognition
- Teacher qualification is to be ensured by the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) conducted by the appropriate government.
- Responsibilities of Schools and Teachers: Teachers are forbidden from giving private tuition or performing non-teaching tasks, except for census, disaster relief, and election duties.
- Schools must establish School Management Committees (SMCs) consisting of local authority representatives, parents, guardians, and teachers to oversee the school's use of government funds and create a school development plan.
- Grievance Redressal: The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights reviews safeguards and investigates complaints, with powers akin to a civil court; the state government may also establish a State Commission for similar functions.