BRAOU Announces Free Education for Girls and Tribal Students, Says VC Prof Ghanta Chakrapani

Dr B R Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) has announced a special initiative to provide free education for girls and tribal children, as stated by Vice-Chancellor Prof Ghanta Chakrapani. The scheme aims to make higher education accessible to those who face social and economic barriers, ensuring that they are not left behind in academic opportunities. I

I am writing about this because such initiatives directly address one of the biggest challenges in India’s education system – inequality in access. Many girls and children from tribal communities are forced to drop out of school or never get the chance to pursue higher studies due to financial hardships. By removing tuition fees, BRAOU is not just offering education but also opening doors to better livelihoods and empowerment. This move could inspire other universities to follow suit and help bridge the educational gap in our country. It’s important for students, parents, and even policymakers to know about such opportunities so that more eligible candidates can benefit from them.

Details of the Free Education Initiative

According to Prof Ghanta Chakrapani, the scheme will cover the full tuition fees for all eligible girl students and tribal children enrolling at BRAOU. The initiative applies to various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by the university.

Who Can Apply

All girl students from any background are eligible
Students from Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, irrespective of gender
Must meet the standard admission criteria for BRAOU courses

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through BRAOU’s official admission portal
Necessary documents like caste certificates for tribal students and identity proof for girl students are required
The admission process will be as per the university’s regular schedule

Why This Matters

Providing free higher education for marginalised groups is a direct investment in social progress. Tribal communities often live in remote areas with limited access to schools, let alone colleges. Girls in many regions still face societal pressure to marry early instead of continuing their studies. Removing the cost barrier means more students will consider education as a real option.

Possible Impact

Increase in enrollment rates for girls and tribal students
Higher participation of marginalised communities in skilled professions
Encouragement for other universities to adopt similar policies

Andhra Pradesh Opens Applications for Free Private School Seats – Apply Now

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced that applications are now open for filling vacant seats reserved for free education in private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. This initiative aims to provide quality education to children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups without any financial burden on their families. Parents can apply

I am writing about this because many parents are still unaware that such a facility exists and often miss out on the opportunity due to lack of information. The RTE Act is a significant step towards ensuring equal access to quality education, and Andhra Pradesh’s move to fill the remaining seats shows a commitment to making the system effective. This information is crucial, especially for families who aspire to send their children to reputed private schools but cannot afford the fees. By spreading awareness, we can ensure that deserving children benefit from this provision and that no seat goes unfilled simply because the information did not reach the right people in time.

Who Can Apply for Free Education in Private Schools

Under the RTE Act, 25% of seats in entry-level classes of private schools are reserved for children from:

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
Socially Disadvantaged Groups (SC, ST, OBC, minority communities)
Children with disabilities

Parents must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, including income limits and residence requirements, before applying.

How to Apply

The application process is entirely online through the official RTE admission portal of Andhra Pradesh: http://cse.ap.gov.in. Parents will need:

Birth certificate of the child
Proof of residence (ration card, Aadhaar, voter ID)
Income certificate issued by competent authority
Caste certificate (if applicable)

Applicants should carefully fill in details, select preferred schools, and upload scanned documents. After verification, the school allocation will be done through a lottery system.

Why This Matters

Vacant RTE seats mean missed opportunities for children who could have accessed quality education for free. The government’s decision to invite applications again ensures that these seats do not go to waste. It also sends a strong message that education is a right, not a privilege, and every effort will be made to extend it to all eligible children.

Important Dates to Remember

Parents should keep track of the application deadlines, as late submissions will not be considered. The government will publish school allotment lists after the verification process.

Start Date: 12 August 2025

Last Date: 20 August 2025