Rule-134A Abolished in Haryana: Now Poor Children Will Study under RTE

• 31 Mar 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the Haryana Government has issued a notification to withdraw the facility of free education to the children of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in private schools by removing Rule 134-A of the Haryana School Education Rules, 2003.

Key Points

• Under Rule 134-A, meritorious students belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) were allowed 10 per cent seats in private schools and could complete their studies up to class 12th.
• After the abolition of Rule-134A, now children from poor families will not get free admission on 10 percent seats in private schools. Under the Right to Education Rules (RTE), the government will provide 25% admission to economically weaker children in private schools.
• To abolish Rule-134A, the School Education Department has amended the Haryana School Education Rules, 2003. The amended rules will now be called the Haryana School Education Rules, 2022.
• Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education Act, 2009, (RTE Act) is applicable in the state. Under this, reservation of 25% seats is mandatory for EWS students in private schools.
• Rule 134-A was a provision under the Haryana School Education Rules, which existed before RTE. The new Act provides 25 per cent benefit to EWS, while Rule 134-A provides only 10 per cent benefit.