Abstract

The Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009 made education a fundamental right of every child, establishing norms to be made for physical and human capital schooling entitlements as well as the responsibilities of the school to the child. A large majority of schools did not fulfill these norms, with most of these schools being central and state government schools, implying a massive thrust for accountability on the part of the government. Though each state had the latitude to frame their own rules for the implementation of the act, naturally a great deal of financial and governance challenges were to be faced by all state governments to fulfill their responsibilities. This paper scrutinises the financial and governance obstacles hindering RTE compliance, with a focus on Karnataka’s unique context. Financial constraints vary across states, with Karnataka facing governance challenges in resource allocation despite relative economic stability. Governance hurdles, especially in teacher education and private school management, further impede progress.

The state’s significant reliance on private schools amplifies the importance of addressing governance deficits in both public and private sectors. Additionally, the paper explores the implications of increasing private school demand driven by perceived deficiencies in public education. This trend raises concerns about education commercialization and equity, emphasising the need for robust accountability mechanisms. Drawing insights from Karnataka and Odisha, the paper underscores the urgency of governance reform and inclusive education delivery. While Karnataka exhibits financial stability, Odisha grapples with expenditure gaps and governance barriers. Lessons from these states inform strategies for navigating RTE implementation challenges, emphasising the imperative of equitable and quality-driven education systems.

CBPS. (2013). Challenges in implementing the Right to Education: the Karnataka case [Working Paper]. Bengaluru, India: Centre for Budget and Policy Studies.