<p>Seats under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) - which seemed to have lost relevance in the last three years, is back in demand this year. </p>.<p>The department of public instruction (DPI) has received more than 20,000 applications for admissions to various grades under RTE. </p>.<p>It has received 20,414 applications so far, for the 18,555 seats available for the academic year 2022-23. </p>.<p>Officials attributed the sudden rise in demand to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. </p>.<p>According to sources, the highest number of applications seeking admissions in schools under the RTE quota is from Bengaluru South.</p>.<p>A total of 3,989 applications were received for 1,276 seats in schools there.</p>.<p>This is followed by Mysuru district, with 2,600 applications for 928 seats.</p>.<p>Officials told <em><span class="italic">DH</span> </em>that a majority of the parents who have applied for seats under the RTE quota for their children are those hit severely during the pandemic.</p>.<p>“Not all parents are capable of paying fees demanded by private unaided schools. This year, a few parents who were earlier sending their wards to private schools are now trying their luck under RTE,” said an official.</p>.<p>A parent who has applied under RTE for a school in Bengaluru North said, “Our elder daughter is studying in a private school and the fee is around Rs 80,000. Now, we need to admit our younger one as well. Keeping in mind the high costs, we have applied under RTE.”</p>.<p>In 2021-22, the number of available seats was 14,036. For these, 11,531 applications were received and 3,070 seats were filled. In 2020-21, the number of seats available was 17,453 and 11,026 applications were received. But only 3,070 seats were filled.</p>.<p>The DPI will conduct the first round of lottery for seat allotment on April 4.</p>.<p>The demand for RTE seats dropped considerably, after amendments brought by the department, giving priority to seats in government schools, followed by aided schools.</p>.<p>If there is no government or aided school nearby, seats will be allotted in a private school.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Seats under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) - which seemed to have lost relevance in the last three years, is back in demand this year. </p>.<p>The department of public instruction (DPI) has received more than 20,000 applications for admissions to various grades under RTE. </p>.<p>It has received 20,414 applications so far, for the 18,555 seats available for the academic year 2022-23. </p>.<p>Officials attributed the sudden rise in demand to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. </p>.<p>According to sources, the highest number of applications seeking admissions in schools under the RTE quota is from Bengaluru South.</p>.<p>A total of 3,989 applications were received for 1,276 seats in schools there.</p>.<p>This is followed by Mysuru district, with 2,600 applications for 928 seats.</p>.<p>Officials told <em><span class="italic">DH</span> </em>that a majority of the parents who have applied for seats under the RTE quota for their children are those hit severely during the pandemic.</p>.<p>“Not all parents are capable of paying fees demanded by private unaided schools. This year, a few parents who were earlier sending their wards to private schools are now trying their luck under RTE,” said an official.</p>.<p>A parent who has applied under RTE for a school in Bengaluru North said, “Our elder daughter is studying in a private school and the fee is around Rs 80,000. Now, we need to admit our younger one as well. Keeping in mind the high costs, we have applied under RTE.”</p>.<p>In 2021-22, the number of available seats was 14,036. For these, 11,531 applications were received and 3,070 seats were filled. In 2020-21, the number of seats available was 17,453 and 11,026 applications were received. But only 3,070 seats were filled.</p>.<p>The DPI will conduct the first round of lottery for seat allotment on April 4.</p>.<p>The demand for RTE seats dropped considerably, after amendments brought by the department, giving priority to seats in government schools, followed by aided schools.</p>.<p>If there is no government or aided school nearby, seats will be allotted in a private school.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>