Critical Funding Shortfall: State Government Faces ₹2,500 Crore RTE Fee Arrears to Private Institutions

The State Government is currently grappling with a substantial financial obligation of ₹2,500 crore owed to private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act fee reimbursement scheme. This significant arrears situation is emerging as a critical systemic pressure point, potentially undermining the stability and participation of private institutions in the state's education framework. Concurrently, early indicators for the current academic cycle reveal a concerning trend: despite the commencement of the online registration portal for RTE admissions, engagement from schools remains notably tepid. The government has already been compelled to extend the registration deadline on two separate occasions to stimulate participation. Comparative data underscores this decline; while the previous year saw robust involvement with 8,863 registered schools, the current tally stands at a reduced figure of 8,490 institutions. This dual challenge of mounting financial liabilities and diminishing institutional enrollment signals a potential erosion of confidence in the RTE mechanism's operational and fiscal reliability. The situation warrants immediate analytical attention to assess the long-term implications for educational access, public-private partnership viability, and the state's compliance with its statutory obligations under the RTE Act.