SC seeks data on claim Punjab failed EWS admissions mandate

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea alleging that Punjab government has failed to implement key provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, particularly the mandate under Section 12(1)(c) requiring private unaided schools to reserve 25% seats at the entry level for children belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups.

Issuing notice, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and justice V Mohana asked the petitioner to place concrete material before the court to demonstrate how the law was not being implemented.

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CJI Kant suggested the petitioner seek data via RTI on the number of recognised private schools in a district, whether they are affiliated to CBSE or the state board, the total sanctioned seats, the number of students enrolled, and the number admitted from EWS and marginalised sections.

The petitioner said the issue at hand was not limited to individual schools. He added the Act had not been implemented across Punjab. CJI Kant said the state had filed an affidavit stating that 476 children belonging to EWS and disadvantaged groups had been admitted in private schools. Hence, CJI Kant added the bench wants to know which schools are not implementing the key provisions of the Act.

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The petitioner added that at least 50,000 students should be admitted under the 25% quota every year because as per government figures, nearly two lakh students are admitted at the entry level in private schools annually in the state.