Karnataka State proposes to amend the RTE Act to provide preference to government schools

In Karnataka, the State is moving to amend the Right to Education Act to permitting parents to admit children into private schools based on provisions, only if there is no government school in the vicinity of 1km of the child’s home. Currently there is a 25% reservation under the RTE Act for children of under-privileged and weaker sections of society. While there is a debate on whether this move is to help private schools circumvent their perceived burden or whether it is as the government claims to help government schools, the fundamental principle that is being violate is the right of choice of the consumer. Given that the consumer are people from the weaker and disadvantaged section of society, there is immediate concern as those are the sections that have the weakest voice and power to effect change and claim their rights. Irrespective of which side of the debate one may argue for the right of choice for the underprivileged should not be usurped and undermined. Whatever the consequences of their choices, we have to identify and address those in earnest to see how any negative impact on other stakeholders can be managed. Read details from a TOI report on the same here.