Lucknow: To increase enrollment under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to fix block-wise admission targets and clearly define the responsibility of education officials for the upcoming academic session 2026–27. This move comes after the state recorded relatively low admissions under RTE in the previous year.
Low RTE Enrollment Prompts Government Action
According to official data, only 1.41 lakh students were admitted under the RTE quota last year, despite a much higher number of seats being available in private schools. The government now aims to significantly improve this figure by implementing strict monitoring and accountability at the district and block levels.
Over 6.8 Lakh RTE Seats Available Across 68,000 Schools
Under the RTE Act, 25% of seats in private schools at the pre-primary and Class 1 levels are reserved for children from economically weaker sections (EWS).
For the 2026–27 academic session, nearly 6.80 lakh seats are available across approximately 68,000 private schools in Uttar Pradesh.
The online application process for RTE admissions will begin on February 2.
Responsibility Fixed for Education Officials
Director General of School Education Monika Rani has instructed all District Magistrates (DMs) to set admission targets based on available seats in each development block. Clear accountability will be assigned to:
- Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA)
- Block Education Officers (BEO)
- Child Development Project Officers (CDPO)
These officials will be responsible for ensuring maximum enrollment under the RTE scheme.
Village-Level Awareness Through Anganwadi Workers
To ensure wider outreach, Anganwadi workers will be engaged to conduct door-to-door and village-level awareness campaigns. The focus will be on informing eligible families about the RTE admission process and benefits.
Simplified Process for Essential Documents
The School Education Department has also directed district, tehsil, and block authorities to make the issuance of essential documents easier. These include:
- Income Certificate
- Residence Certificate
- Caste Certificate
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
This step aims to remove procedural hurdles that often prevent eligible children from applying.
Application Assistance Centers to Be Set Up
To further support parents, the government has ordered the establishment of RTE Application Help Centers in all districts. These centers will assist families in filling out online forms and completing documentation on time.
Strong Push to Ensure Education for EWS Children
With defined targets, fixed responsibilities, and grassroots-level awareness, the Uttar Pradesh government hopes to ensure that a larger number of children from economically weaker sections gain access to quality education in private schools under the RTE Act.
