Supreme Court Mandates 25% Free Seats in Private Schools for Disadvantaged Children

• The Supreme Court has mandated 25% free seats in all private unaided neighbourhood schools for children from poor and disadvantaged sections under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act.
• The decision aims to achieve the Constitution's goal of fraternity by enabling children from diverse backgrounds to study together, breaking down caste and class barriers.
• Justices PS Narasimha and AS Chandurkar emphasized that the RTE Act's objective is to provide education without discrimination to all children aged 6 to 14.
• The Court stated that the 25% reservation is not a welfare scheme but a means to fulfill constitutional rights like Article 21A (Right to Education) and Article 39(f) (development of children).
• State governments and Union Territories are directed to frame new rules under Section 38 of the RTE Act, in consultation with NCPCR and SCPCRs, for admitting these children, with NCPCR to file an affidavit by March 31.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court enforces 25% free seats in private schools to foster fraternity and equal education for all.