India, Feb. 2 -- Independent self-financed schools across Maharashtra are showing a reluctance to register for admissions under the 25% quota of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, citing long delays in fee reimbursement by the state government. School management associations claim that around Rs.2,500 crore is pending for the last ten years, putting severe financial pressure on their institutions.

This year, although the online registration process for schools participating in RTE admissions has begun, the response has been poor although the government has already extended the registration deadline twice. Last year, nearly 8,863 schools registered but the number this year is less, at 8,490 schools so far.

Under the RTE Act, private unaid...