Indore: In a major move to support education for economically weaker sections (EWS) in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday transferred ₹489 crore to 20,652 non-government schools under the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. This amount serves as a reimbursement of school fees for over 8.45 lakh children who were enrolled during the 2023–2024 academic session.
The funds were directly credited to the bank accounts of the eligible schools during a public event held in Dhar district, in the presence of School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh and other senior officials.
Direct Transfer to Encourage Transparency and Speed
During the event, CM Yadav initiated the single-click fund transfer, a step aimed at ensuring transparent, quick, and corruption-free disbursement of government support to private educational institutions that adhere to the RTE mandate.
Only schools that have admitted at least 25% of their entry-level students from disadvantaged or economically weaker backgrounds—according to RTE guidelines—were eligible for the reimbursement.
RTE Act: A Step Toward Social Equity in Education
The Right to Education Act, enacted by the Centre in 2009, mandates that all private unaided schools reserve 25% of their seats at entry-level classes (such as Nursery or Class 1) for children from EWS and disadvantaged groups (DG).
To support this inclusive initiative, state governments compensate the schools for the cost of education provided to these students. The funds released on Sunday are part of that reimbursement process for the previous academic year.
Massive Impact Since RTE Implementation in MP
Since Madhya Pradesh implemented the RTE Act in the academic year 2011–12, more than 19 lakh children from marginalized communities have benefited from the scheme. According to official data, the state government has reimbursed nearly ₹3,000 crore in school fees over the years.
This latest installment of ₹489 crore underscores the government’s continued commitment to equity in education and to ensuring that no child is deprived of learning opportunities due to financial constraints.
Development Initiatives and Welfare Distribution Also On Agenda
Alongside the fund transfer, Chief Minister Yadav also performed ‘bhoomi-poojan’ (groundbreaking ceremony) for several developmental projects in the Dhar district. Additionally, benefits were distributed to eligible citizens under various state welfare schemes, highlighting the government’s multipronged approach to public service and regional development.
This significant financial step under the RTE Act not only strengthens the relationship between government and educational institutions but also reinforces Madhya Pradesh’s commitment to inclusive and accessible education. With the aim of social integration and quality learning for all, the state continues to make strides in ensuring every child, regardless of economic background, gets a fair chance to learn and grow.
