Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced that the Right to Education (RTE) Act will be implemented in the state from new academic year and 25 per cent seats in non-aided schools will be reserved for students from economically and socially backward sections.
Addressing a press conference after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said out of the 25 per cent seats, 50 per cent will be reserved for SC, ST and OBCs while the remaining 50 per cent will be for economically weaker sections of the society.
Chavan said RTE was a central act and as per Supreme Court directives, it will be implemented in the state from this year.
"All school managements will have to implement it," he said. According to sources in the education department, the criteria for income limit for children coming from economically backward classes has been referred to the law and judiciary department.
The Act will be implemented from Standard first this year. As many as 93,848 students of class one out of the total 3,75,392 students will be benefitted due to the 25 per cent reserved seats. "Following year, first and second standard will be covered," he said.
There are a total of 1.84 lakh schools providing education from standard first to eight in the state out of which government, local bodies and private and minorities aided are 88,856.
There are 11,728 unaided schools out of which minorities schools are 1984. The non-aided minorities schools are excluded from the Act.
The government will have to bear expenses for the free education of students getting admission in 25 pc quota.
"Every year the expenditure will rise because of the addition of students. Expense of about rs 11,000 per student is expected. Accordingly, Rs 95.8 crore is required for 93,848 seats to be reserved," he added.
According to the law, no fee and interview will be taken prior to admission. The school management will not deny admission to any student and ensure that the student remains in the school till education is completed.
PTI
