'Pvt schools will face penalty for violating RTE'

New Delhi, Apr 1: Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has said that all private schools must reserve 25 percent seats in elementary education for economically disadvantaged children.

Speaking to a television channel, Sibal said that it was obligatory to set aside a quarter of all seats for poor children from classes 1 to 8.

Sibal further said that any breach of the Right to Education (RTE) act will fetch punishment.

When asked if there will be penalty for not complying with the legislation, Sibal said, "It is now law, it can be statutorily enforced."

He said both aided and non-aided schools across the country have to follow the legislation.

The minister clarified that minority schools were not exempt from the act.

"We believe every minority institution would itself like to (go for the reservation). There are disadvantaged sections in minority communities too. The minorities will be part of the national endeavour," he said.

The Right to Education act came into force on Thursday, Apr 1, as a fundamental right.

OneIndia News