Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra yesterday said that the tuition fee for seats under Right to Education (RTE) Act in private unaided schools will be hiked from the academic year 2017-18. Reimbursement for primary classes has been increased to Rs. 16,000 from Rs. 11,000 per child per year. For nursery classes, the refund would go up to Rs. 8,000 from Rs. 5,924 per child per year.

The increase in the amount of tuition fee reimbursed to private schools follows a Court order and appeal by educational institutions, he said and added that the hike will be an additional burden of Rs. 425 crore for the State exchequer. The Minister further said that the Cabinet discussed at length the implications of RTE Act on Govt. schools.

Some Cabinet members suggested introduction of teaching english language in Government schools, he pointed out and added that Chief Minister Siddharamaiah has directed Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait to submit a report on the ways to make Govt. schools more sought after.

The RTE Act came into effect on Apr. 1, 2012 and since then reimbursement has not been revised while the law provides for annual increase.