Edu Dept to launch portal for EWS quota implementation

The beneficiaries of the economically weaker section (EWS) quota will soon be able to see online status of the seats reserved for them in private schools of the state.

The parents of such students will also be able to lodge complaints against erring schools.

Days after issuing guidelines for admitting EWS students and fixing 25 per cent quota for the disadvantaged children in private schools, the Education Department is all set to launch a portal for the implementation of the EWS quota guidelines.

Education Minister Harjot Bains said the portal would be launched soon.

Sources in the department said initially the list of private schools where the EWS quota was applicable would be uploaded. Then, details about the seats available in respective schools would be available from the current academic session.

Since the admissions for the academic year 2025-2026 have already been done, the applicability of the 25 per cent quota and grievances’ redress would be effectively applicable from the next academic year.

Officials said the standard operating procedure for the EWS admissions in private schools, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, was issued last month. The instructions had been issued following directives from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

According to these instructions, all private, unaided schools, except minority schools, would admit children belonging to the EWS and disadvantaged groups in nursery, LKG, UKG or Class I, whichever is the entry-level class at the school, to the extent of at least 25 per cent of the total seats as mandated by the RTE Act.

Children belonging to weaker sections (family income below Rs 8 lakh per annum), Scheduled Caste (no income limit), and backward class or other backward class (non-creamy layer), war widows’ children, and destitute parents’ children will be eligible for these seats. The government has sub-classified the 25 per cent seats, reserving 12.5 per cent for the EWS category children, 5 per cent for the SC children, 5 per cent for the BC/OBC children and 1.25 per cent each for war widows’ children and destitute parents’ children.

The order said 25 per cent of the seats would be calculated based on the total admissions at the entry level during the previous academic year. For newly registered schools, 25 per cent seats would be calculated based on the approved class strength.