Great news for Tamil Nadu! The Union government has officially approved a substantial ₹700 crore in funding under the Right to Education (RTE) entitlements, which falls under the wider Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme. This significant decision comes after the Supreme Court issued a notice regarding the matter. The funds will be released to the State in two installments: ₹362 crore for the 2024-25 academic year and ₹352 crore for 2025-26.
Following this positive development, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department announced on Thursday that RTE admissions for the current academic year will commence on October 9. This aligns perfectly with schools reopening across the state on October 6, right after the quarterly holidays.
It’s important to remember that the RTE Act mandates private schools to reserve 25% of their entry-level seats (like LKG and Class 1) for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The delay in the Centre’s disbursement of SSA funds had previously halted Tamil Nadu’s ability to start these crucial admission procedures.
A recent circular from the department clarifies that admissions for the current academic year will first focus on children already attending entry-level classes. School principals will identify eligible students and, with written parental consent, apply for their RTE admissions. The entire process will be managed online through the department’s dedicated RTE portal. A special 10-day online window has been set up to formalize the enrollment of eligible children already benefiting from the RTE quota.
Schools have also been instructed to refund any fees already collected from these students within seven working days. This refund must be confirmed by both the school and the parents, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Madras High Court’s Crucial Intervention
This positive outcome stems from earlier legal actions. The Madras High Court had previously urged the Union government to separate RTE reimbursements from the larger Samagra Shiksha scheme. Following this, the Tamil Nadu government escalated the matter by filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) with the Supreme Court, seeking a direct order for the Union government to release its allocated funds. The Supreme Court’s subsequent notice ultimately led to the release of these vital funds.
Typically, RTE admissions kick off by mid-April, with applications submitted via the state government’s online portal, and conclude by May. To ensure a smooth process this year, a District-level Monitoring Committee, led by the Chief Educational Officer, has been established in each district. Schools are required to upload the total number of entry-level seats filled as of September 30 by October 7. The final list of eligible applicants will then be displayed on school notice boards by October 14. For more information or assistance, parents can visit the official RTE admissions portal at rteadmission@tnschools.gov.in or call the helpline at 14417.