The Supreme Court has upheld the Right to Education Act and the 25% quota of free seats for children from economically deprived classes. It applies to all schools-public, private and in-between institutions. The Court dismissed the petition of certain private schools. It emphasised the need for equity in providing quality education to all children between six and fourteen. The government continues to share responsibility for fulfilling the objective. Private schools will be compensated by the state to the extent that it spends in the public system. Private schools have played a key role in the schooling boom in the last two decades. As a rule, they are more efficient, flexible and accountable than government schools. Parents should have the choice of sending their children to a public or a private school. Poorer children should not be forced to go to less efficient schools. Educational inequality leads to income inequality in subsequent years. A school where children from different backgrounds receive their education is more exposed to social realities.
The Supreme Court judgement however affects only a section of elite unaided private schools. RTE is applicable largely to the state system and purposeful P& P partnerships. Like private schools, government schools should also invite ideas from NGOs. Teachers are paid higher salaries in public schools and their infrastructure is better. Still their standard is lower than in private schools. There is no clarification in the judgement on missionary schools imparting English medium education, however.