Mohali School Directed to Grant Admission Under the RTE Act
The Punjab Human Rights Commission directed a Mohali school to consider a child’s admission under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act.
Mohali: The Punjab State and UT Human Rights Commission has directed Narayana e-Techno School in Sector 119, Mohali, to grant admission to a child under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education Act, 2009.
The direction applies if the child meets the eligibility rules set by the law and the Punjab Government. The commission has also told the school not to deny admission on grounds that go against the RTE Act, its rules or official instructions.
Why the family approached the commission
The child’s father, who lives in Sector 127, Kharar, said his daughter was first admitted to the school as a fee-paying student during the 2025-26 academic session.
He later learned about Punjab Government directions issued in March 2025 for the implementation of Section 12(1)(c). The family then asked the school to provide the benefit of admission under the RTE Act.
According to the complaint, the admission process remained incomplete from September 2025. The father said the school continued to ask the family to pay fees. He also alleged that his daughter was stopped from attending classes on some occasions because the fees had not been paid.
That created a serious problem for the child. Missing school can affect lessons, tests and friendships. It can also make a student feel singled out, which is a burden no child should have to carry along with a schoolbag.
The father told the commission that the delay had affected his daughter’s education and created stress for the family. He also raised concern about her upcoming examinations for the 2026-27 session.
What Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act says
Section 12(1)(c) requires private unaided schools to reserve at least 25 per cent of the seats in Class I or the entry-level class for children from weaker sections and disadvantaged groups.
The provision aims to give eligible children access to private schools. It applies through the process set by the law and the relevant government rules. Families must meet the required conditions and submit the documents asked for by the authorities.
The Punjab Government has issued instructions to district education authorities and private unaided schools to follow the RTE Act. The commission referred to these directions while asking the Mohali school to consider the child’s case.
What the commission ordered
In a letter dated September 18, 2026, commission member Jitender Singh Shunty directed the school to grant admission if the child fulfils the prescribed requirements.
The order also makes clear that the school must not reject the child for reasons that conflict with the RTE Act, the rules or government directions.
The complaint has been sent to the Secretary of the School Education Department and the Deputy Commissioner of Mohali. This allows the departments to examine the case and monitor the next steps.
Education department begins a probe
Deputy District Education Officer Ritu Verma said the matter was under investigation. She said a report had been received and that the District Education Officer, Elementary, would take further action.
The school authorities declined to comment on the complaint and the commission’s direction.
What parents can do in a similar case
Parents seeking admission under Section 12(1)(c) should keep copies of all forms, documents and messages exchanged with the school. They should also note dates when they visited the school or contacted an education official.
If the matter remains pending, parents can approach the local education office and ask for the status in writing. They may also submit a complaint to the district authorities or the relevant rights commission, depending on the facts of the case.
Families should check the official Punjab education instructions for the current admission process, eligibility rules and document list. These details can change, and a missing document can slow down an application even when the child meets the main conditions.
