School
The Act covers 4 types of schools: (1) Government schools, (2) Government-aided schools, (3) Specified category schools (Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sainik Schools), and (4) Private unaided schools. Each has different obligations under Section 12.
"school" means any recognised school imparting elementary education and includes— (i) a school established, owned or controlled by the appropriate Government or a local authority; (ii) an aided school receiving aid or grants to meet whole or part of its expenses from the appropriate Government or the local authority; (iii) a school belonging to specified category; and (iv) an unaided school not receiving any kind of aid or grants from the appropriate Government or the local authority.
The Act covers 4 types of schools: (1) Government schools, (2) Government-aided schools, (3) Specified category schools (Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sainik Schools), and (4) Private unaided schools. Each has different obligations under Section 12.
School category determines the school's free education obligations. Government schools provide 100% free education. Private unaided schools must reserve 25% seats for weaker section/disadvantaged children. Knowing your school's category is essential for understanding your rights.
This guide is published by Mahadev Maitri Foundation — free, independent education resource. We help families in rural India understand and enforce their rights under the RTE Act.
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