HRD Ministry sought data from states on vacant EWS seats in private schools

The HRD Ministry has asked the states to provide data about vacant seats under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category in entry-level classes in private schools.

The move comes in the wake of a report by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) according to which around 13,000 nursery seats reserved for children from economically disadvantaged households in private schools in the 2018-19 academic session remain unfilled in the national capital.

"I have asked the states to provide data about vacant EWS seats and then we will analyse what can be done to ensure the candidates under the category can make the best use of the available provisions," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, 25% of the seats are to be reserved for the EWS and Disadvantaged Group (DG) categories in entry-level classes nursery, KG and I in all private schools.

While those belonging to families with annual income less than Rs 1 lakh can seek admission under the EWS category, the DG-category applicants include the SC, ST, OBC, non-creamy layer, differently-abled, and transgender.

The DCPCR also pointed out that as many as 74 private schools in Delhi did not admit even a single student under the EWS category in the last two academic sessions.