Abstract

This paper explores the challenges of ensuring equitable access to primary education in Bangalore, one of India’s fastest-growing urban centers, in the context of the Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009. Despite constitutional guarantees and legal mandates for free and compulsory education, urbanization and migration complicate the equitable provision of education. The study highlights the multidimensional nature of urban deprivation, calling for a broader understanding of marginality beyond the confines of slums. Karnataka’s adoption of a technology-driven policy—online admission to private unaided schools under the RTE Act—is examined as a tool to reach economically weaker and socially disadvantaged children. It examines whether these mechanisms effectively address structural inequalities and ensure true inclusivity.

By analyzing the implementation of the online admission process in Bangalore, the study sheds light on the bottlenecks that perpetuate educational exclusion, particularly in urban settings characterized by continuous in-migration. The s first study outlines the vulnerability of children in urban India and the barriers they face in accessing education. It then reviews the educational landscape in Karnataka, focusing on Bangalore, before detailing the challenges and experiences associated with the online admission system. Ultimately, the paper seeks to understand the impact of technology in promoting social inclusion and addressing urban educational disparities.

CBPS. (2016). Review of the newly introduced online process for admissions under Right to Education act section 12(1)(c) in private unaided schools in Karnataka. Bengaluru, India: Centre for Budget and Policy Studies.