RTE seats in top city schools 90% full, but 70% vacant at smaller ones

Indore: Seats under Right to Education (RTE) are nearly 90 percent full at top private schools, but smaller ones are struggling with over 70 percent seats still vacant. Parents have held back admissions in hope of better options in the next round.The disparity has emerged after the lottery-based allotment of free seats under the RTE quota. In Indore district, around 9,029 seats were reserved across 1,148 private schools. However, only 5,417 students received allotments in the first round. Trends indicate that parents have shown a clear preference for the city's top 20 to 25 schools, where most allotted candidates have completed admission formalities promptly.In contrast, many parents are reluctant to report to schools they had selected as secondary or compulsory options during the application process. As per norms, applicants were required to list at least three schools. While top choices were filled with intent, several lower-ranked schools were included only to complete the application, leading to disinterest when allotments were made.Parents are also holding back in anticipation of the second round of allotment. According to rules, students who complete admission in the first round are not eligible for further rounds. However, those who do not report can participate again and opt for better choices, prompting many to delay confirmation.Officials have maintained that the process, from application to allotment, has been conducted transparently through an online system. They have urged parents to complete reporting within the stipulated deadline of April 15 to secure their seats."Reporting has been significantly higher in the city's leading private schools, where most parents have promptly secured admissions. In contrast, lower reporting in other schools reflects preference patterns rather than any issue in the allotment process," said DPC Sanjay Kumar Mishra.