Inclusion of Marginalized Children in Private Unaided Schools:The RTE Act, 2009

Overview

This study by Oxfam India looks at the implications of the provisions laid out by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (2009) which makes it a legal requirement for private, unaided schools to provide free and compulsory education to children from disadvantaged groups. The paper used data from the academic year 2012-2013 to highlight the issues which can occur with Private Schools who are never reimbursed by the government for these students.

Studies were carried out in schools in Bangalore and Delhi (two cities at the front of implementing the RTE) – schools reported that this issue ‘has opened doors for greater governmental interference.’ This paper looks at how different schools in these cities were made aware of the Section 12 provision and its rules, and outlines how the addition of marginalised children to a school can impact on the learning resources and opportunities of paying students.