Picture for representational purpose only.

BHUBANESWAR: The state school and mass education department has decided to partner with New Delhi-based Indus Action to implement 25 per cent admission quota for children from disadvantaged groups in private schools across the state.

To implement the provision, the Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority ( Opepa ) will work in coordination with Indus Action to oversee that private schools adhere to the norms specified in the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. "The firm has put forward a proposal to implement the provisions for the admission of children from disadvantaged groups in private schools under the RTE Act. We, after detailed deliberation, approved the proposal," an official of the mass education department said.

He said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed between Indus Action and Opepa for implementation of the provisions. "The modalities have been fixed. The agreement will be signed on an appropriate date," the official added. It must be noted here that Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act provides opportunity to children from diverse social and economic backgrounds to study together in a universal environment. In simple terms, this particular section of the RTE Act mandates 25 per cent reservation for children from economically and socially weaker sections in private unaided and non-minority schools.

Indus Action runs Project Eklavya with an aim to build a modern-day India in which children can learn and grow together in the same school. As part of this mission, Indus Action aims to implement Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE act across India by 2020. Officials said Project Eklavya has enrolled over 90,000 children from disadvantaged groups in the past five years. The project by the Delhi-based firm implemented in partnership with Partner Entrepreneur Network has a presence in 11 states as of now. "Section 12(1)(c) is a landmark provision made for admission of children from disadvantaged and economically weaker sections in private unaided schools. However, not many schools are adhering to it. It should be looked after," said Basant Sahu, an educationist.

