In a significant policy shift, the Chhattisgarh government has decided to restrict admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act quota in private schools solely to Class 1, eliminating the provision for entry at nursery or kindergarten levels. This change, effective from the 2026–27 academic session, has ignited a fierce debate, with private school bodies condemning it as a step that will deepen educational inequality in the state.
Uniformity Over Early Access: The New RTE Rule
Until now, children from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups could secure seats in private schools under the 25% RTE quota starting from a school's entry class, which could be nursery, pre-primary (PP-1, PP-2), or Class 1. The state school education department's new order mandates that all such admissions will now be confined to Class 1 only.
Department officials justify the move as an effort to bring "uniformity" in the implementation of the RTE Act. They point out that since private schools have varying entry points—some beginning with nursery and others with Class 1—it led to inconsistent interpretations of where the quota should apply. The new 'Class 1-only' rule aims to simplify this structure.
Officials also cited a technical challenge faced by schools: if the 25% quota started from nursery, they would theoretically have to expand Class 1 seats by at least 25% to ensure continuity for all RTE students, a requirement deemed impractical. The new rule resolves this logistical issue.
Private Schools Voice Strong Opposition
The decision has been met with sharp criticism from private school associations. The Chhattisgarh Private School Management Association has labeled the move "anti-RTE" and contrary to the constitutional spirit of the Act.
Rajeev Gupta, the association's president, argued that the policy will disproportionately harm poor children by denying them crucial early childhood education. "Early childhood education (3–6 years) is the most important phase, where language, behaviour and learning foundations are laid. This will create a visible learning gap and deepen academic inequality," he stated.
Gupta alleged a financial motive behind the change, suggesting the government altered the rule to avoid reimbursing fees for the three years of pre-primary education (nursery, PP-1, PP-2). "The loss will be borne by the poorest children," he asserted.
Constitutional and Policy Concerns Raised
The association has raised several substantive objections to the policy shift:
- It violates the spirit of Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21-A (Right to Education) of the Indian Constitution.
- It contradicts the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises foundational learning for children aged 3–8 years as critical.
- Children from disadvantaged backgrounds entering directly into Class 1, without prior private school exposure, will face immense mental pressure, struggle to cope with peers, and face a higher risk of dropping out.
The immediate impact of this order will fall on EWS families who aspired to secure a private school seat for their child from the foundational nursery level. Their window of opportunity is now reduced to a single chance at Class 1 admission.
As the state moves towards this new framework, the debate underscores a fundamental tension between administrative uniformity and the goal of providing an equitable educational foundation for all children from the very beginning of their academic journey.
