Maharashtra's education authorities have announced the extension of the admission deadline under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, responding to alarming low confirmation rates among students allocated seats. Initially set to close on February 28, 2025, the new deadline is now March 10, following significant concerns about the number of students who have completed their enrolment processes.
The Directorate of Primary Education, which oversees RTE admissions, revealed the extension was necessary after confirming only approximately 46.57% of the selected students secured their admissions. Out of over 1 lakh students allocated seats, more than 54,000 have yet to confirm their enrolment, raising alarms within the education department. "The extension was granted due to the current number of confirmed admissions," stated officials from the Directorate.
From over 3.5 lakh applications submitted, only 47,886 students had confirmed their admission by the end of February, leaving many seats unoccupied. The worrying statistics indicate systemic issues, including difficulties many families have faced obtaining the necessary documentation to complete their admissions. Last year's admission process was marred by problems, resulting in over 11,000 seats remaining vacant, prompting authorities to take swift action to avoid repeating this insupportable trend.
Nitin Dalvi, President of the Maharashtra Students, Parents, and Teachers Federation, expressed the urgency of addressing these delays, warning of potential legal action if adequate measures are not taken to accommodate students. "If children remain without admission by May, parents will be compelled to enroll them in private institutions at their own expense," he asserted, highlighting the risk of undermining the core purpose of the RTE Act, which seeks to provide free education to underprivileged students.
The admission process began earlier this year on January 14, with the education department welcoming applications until February 2. During this time, 25,774 students applied from Thane district alone, resulting in the selection of 10,429 students. By the time admissions were documented, only 5,113 had confirmed their accounts, triggering the extension directive to encourage finalization.
The low confirmation rates prompted inquiry about parental engagement and awareness of the admission procedures, with reports noting several parents ignored SMS notifications elucidated by the education department. To remedy this situation, the education department will actively reach out to those families yet to confirm their slots, utilizing phone calls and additional notifications to stress the importance of completing this process. Parents are also strongly encouraged to verify their applications directly on the RTE website to avoid misunderstandings.
Students have faced additional challenges stemming from the verification of residential addresses required for admissions under the RTE provisions. This aspect has presented significant hurdles, as new requirements stipulating the registration of rental contracts and other proof of residency grew complex, leading many to struggle with compliance. A recent government response has alleviated this burden; following appeals to MLA Prashant Thakur, the authorities have approved various documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and utility bills to satisfy residency requirements.
Relief swept across the community as the Directorate of Primary Education’s updated requirements addressed previous confusions around the admission process. MLA Prashant Thakur's intervention led to this swift response by the education officials, with Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse commending the improvements made. “We have resolved the issue of residential address verification for RTE admissions,” Thakur remarked, noting the practicality of adapting residence proof regulations to be more inclusive.
Despite these developments, the figures show pronounced underutilization of available admissions at private schools. Educational leaders are urging families to expedite the confirmation process to facilitate the proper functioning of the RTE scheme. The overarching goal is to bolster the participation rate among eligible students, decreasing the unoccupied tenures left after admissions.
To encapsulate the situation, Director Sharad Gosavi noted, “...this decision was taken to enable more children to benefit from the scheme,” reinforcing the urgency of finalizing enrollment and the collective responsibility of the education system to adapt to existing challenges.
With only days until the revised deadline on March 10, 2025, parents and stakeholders alike are reminded of the pressing necessity to engage actively with the admission process, ensuring children do not miss out on opportunities provided under the RTE Act. Protecting these rights remains central to the education community's values, as they rally to support timely admissions and educational equity for all students.