The 25 per cent quota for underprivileged children in private schools has been cause of much hope and despair for the stakeholders. However, here’s yet another reason why not too many children from economically weaker sections will be seen sharing space in city schools -- according to schools, inadequate awareness among parents has left seats vacant in schools. School principals also believe that lesser-sought-after schools are seeing fewer admissions in the quota. Out of 17,205 seats in city schools, only 3,280 have been filled under the 25 per cent quota as mandated by Right To Education (RTE).

In South Mumbai schools, only 556 out of 1,429 seats have been filled. In schools in northern Mumbai, 1,186 out of 8,476 seats have been occupied and in the western zone, around 1,100 seats out of 4,000 have been filled. In Navi Mumbai, only 438 out of 3,300 seats are full. The quota is not applicable to unaided minority schools.