In a country which has blocked educational opportunities to millions of children for centuries only because of the accident of their birth, a recent piece of innovative legislation offers a rare opportunity for civilisational atonement. The Right to Education (RTE) Act reserves a quarter of seats at the entry level in all private schools for poor and socially disadvantaged children.

The prestigious Mayo College Ajmer today told the Rajasthan High Court that it will not grant admission to 25 per cent students from the weaker sections as made mandatory under the Right To Education Act, saying it is not applicable to it.

Appearing for Mayo College administration in the High Court senior advocate Abhay Bhandari said, "there will be no admission for weaker section students as the Supreme Court has clarified that boarding schools are not covered by Right to Education Act and they are free to make their admission policies.

 2 years on to RTE Act

Long way to go

 PARADIP: Picture this: Little ones carrying buckets of construction material in a school of Bidhyadharpur panchayat under Raghunathpur block. The allegation of involving kids in the construction work has spread resentment among the villagers.   

 Early Childhood Care and Education in India