GOVT SHOULD RELEASE PENDING 134-A REIMBURSEMENT AT ₹1,750 PER STUDENT PER MONTH: KULBHUSHAN SHARMA

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National President of the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA), Kulbhushan Sharma, has urged the Haryana Government to immediately release the pending reimbursement amounts under Rule 134-A, Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the Chirag Scheme, and other government-sponsored education schemes, which have remained unpaid since 2015.

He stated that private schools have been implementing various student welfare schemes of the government by providing free admissions, quality education, and essential facilities to lakhs of students. However, despite fulfilling their responsibilities, schools have not received reimbursement payments for several years, placing thousands of institutions under severe financial stress. Schools are managing salaries of teachers and staff, EPF, ESI, building maintenance, transportation, electricity, water, and other operational expenses from their limited resources.

Kulbhushan Sharma demanded that the government release all pending payments under the 134-A Scheme from 2014-15 onwards along with applicable interest. He further urged the government to release reimbursement under the RTE Act at the rate of ₹1,750 per student per month without further delay. Such a step would strengthen trust between private schools and the government and ensure that admissions of children belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) are not adversely affected.

Sharma said that an equally concerning issue is the growing discrimination between students and teachers of government and private schools in the state. Recently, the Education Department recognized and rewarded students and teachers from government schools for their outstanding performance in board examinations, which is a welcome initiative. However, thousands of meritorious students and dedicated teachers from private schools, who have also achieved exceptional results at the state and national levels and brought laurels to Haryana, were completely overlooked.

He emphasized that such discrimination goes against the spirit of equality enshrined in the Constitution. Students studying in private schools are equally citizens of the state and deserve the same recognition, opportunities, encouragement, and respect from the Chief Minister, the Education Minister, and the Education Department. Ignoring meritorious students and teachers from private schools not only affects their morale but also sends a negative message to parents and society.

Sharma urged the government to immediately rectify this imbalance and ensure equal treatment and encouragement for students and teachers from both government and private schools so that every child can contribute equally towards the vision of a developed India.

He warned that if the pending reimbursement amounts are not released by June 15, 2026, private schools and their representative organizations will be compelled to seek legal remedies and approach the courts to protect their legitimate rights. The responsibility for any such situation, he said, would rest entirely with the Haryana Government and the Education Department.