Supreme Court Challenges Punjab on EWS Quota in Schools

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Punjab government regarding alleged non-compliance with the Right to Education Act's provision for 25% reservation for economically weaker sections in private schools. The petition calls for transparency in quota allocation and action against non-compliant schools.

The Supreme Court has demanded an explanation from the Punjab government concerning allegations of failing to implement the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, focusing on the 25% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) in private unaided schools. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana has also asked for an affidavit from the Central government outlining measures to ensure the Act's implementation in Punjab.

The court instructed the petitioner to provide substantive evidence of the alleged non-compliance and proposed gathering information via the Right to Information Act about the number of recognized private schools in Punjab, their affiliations, and admission details. During the proceedings, the petitioner argued that the issue was widespread, affecting numerous schools, and claimed the RTE Act was not enforced effectively across the state for nearly 15 years.

Pointing out that approximately two lakh students join private schools annually, the petitioner insisted that the mandate should result in 50,000 children being admitted under the EWS quota each year. The CJI noted the Punjab government's affidavit reporting only 476 children admitted under this quota and emphasized the need for specific examples of non-compliance. The petition seeks directives for the Central government to ensure Punjab's adherence to the RTE Act and proposes the establishment of a transparent system for managing quota seats and enforcing compliance.