THE RIGHT OF CHILDREN TO FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION ACT 2009

Sumit Jain TIB-134

It is one of the 3 flagship programs of UPA govt.

MGNREGA RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT (These 2 were enacted during it its first term (2004 09)) 09))

3.

RIGHT OF CHILDREN TO FREE & COMPULSORY EDUCATION ACT (2009-10) (2009-

Preamble
    

The Right of Children to Free & compulsory Education Act (RTE) is a welfare legislation. It is meant to benefit about 1 crore non school going children. Cost envisaged is enormous: Centre & States will share the financial burden in the ratio 55:45 It will bring the pupil teacher ratio to 30:1 5.1 lakh teachers are required. So good scope for trained teachers/ B. Ed students. India has joined a group of few countries in the world with making education a fundamental right of every child. In that sense it is historic. The act is meant to help children from economically weaker section as well as children with disabilities.

Schedule
1. Teacher-Pupil Ratio: TeacherI- V upto 120 students 1:30 upto 120-200 students 1:40 (+ H.M.) 120more than 200 students 1:40 (+ H.M.) VI-VIII VI1:35 Science and Mathematics, Social Studies, Language Art Education, Health & Physical Education, Work Education
4

Full Time Part Time

2. Building :
: all weather building, : separate toilets for boys & girls : safe and adequate drinking water : kitchen for MDM : playground : secured by boundary wall

3. Minimum working Days I-V = 200 VI-VIII = 220 VIInstructional Hours I-V = 800 I-VIII = 1000

4. Minimum Working Hours per week for teachers 45 (including preparation hours). 5. Provide - Teaching-Learning Equipment Teaching- Library - Games & Sports and other play materials.

Key Points:
1) The area or limits of neighbourhood : Classes I V within walking distance of 1 km. Classes VI VIII within walking distance of 3 kms. 2) Where no school exists within the area or limits specified, government has to make provision for free transportation, residential facilities and other facilities. facilities. 3) In areas with high population density, the State may establish more than one neighbourhood school. school.

4) The State has to make appropriate and safe transportation arrangements for children with disabilities. disabilities. 5) The State to ensure that access of children to the school is not hindered on account of social and cultural factors. factors. 6) The responsibility of providing free entitlement (text books, writing materials and uniforms, special support materials for children with disabilities, etc) shall be of the school in case of school belonging to specified category and unaided schools. schools.
9

7) The local authority shall maintain a record of all children in its jurisdiction through household survey from their birth till they attain 14 years. years. The record has to be updated each year. year. 8) Per child expenditure is defined and calculated as the total annual recurring expenditure incurred by the State divided by the total number of children enrolled in all such schools. (Govt. aided schools schools. (Govt. are not considered as govt. schools in this regard.) govt. regard. 9) Every school receiving reimbursement from the government should maintain separate bank account. account.
10

10) 10) Every non-government school existing before the noncommencement of the Act has to make a self declaration within 3 months in Form No. I to the No. concerned DEO regarding its compliance or otherwise for its recognition. Schools which do not conform to recognition. the norms, standards and conditions after 3 years from the commencement of the Act shall cease to function. function. Compliance include: include: (1) The school is open to inspection by any officer appointed by the appropriate authority, (2) The school undertakes to furnish reports and information as may be required by the DEO from time to time, etc. etc.
11

11) Every non-government school established after nonthe Act came into force has to conform to the norms, standards and conditions stated in order to qualify for recognition. 12) Every school, other than an unaided school, should constitute a School Management Committee (SMC).

12

Composition of School Management Committee (SMC) :

75% from parents/guardians Of the remaining 25%:

1/3 members from amongst elected members of the local authority 1/3members from the teachers of the school to be decided by the teachers Remaining 1/3 from amongst local educationists/children in the school to be decided by the parents in the committee

The SMC shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from Viceamong the parent members. members. The Head Teacher/Senior most teacher of the school shall be the exex-officio member convener. convener. The SMC is to meet at least once a month and maintain minutes and decisions of the meetings. meetings. Prepare a 3 year school development plan. plan.
13

13) 13) An Academic Authority (the SCERT) to lay down minimum academic qualifications for persons eligible for appointment as a teacher. teacher.

14

PART V

Comments/Consequences/Implications of the RTE

15

Comments / Consequences /Implications of the RTE

25% 25% seats to be reserved for disadvantaged groups. How do you groups. identify children belonging to disadvantaged group ? What happens if more than 25% come for admission? 25%

Under the act, compulsory education starts at the age of 6. Normally our schools admit children in UKG or LKG depending on the age. So in our schools admission will have to be from Preage. Preschool. school. Where a child is directly admitted in a class appropriate to his/her age, he/she has a right to receive special training to be at par with others. others. How do you do that?

16

Regarding age proof even an affidavit will suffice. Now, suffice. can you insist on hospital certificate or baptism certificate? No test or interview for admission. So what are the admission. consequences? How will you reconcile this? The government is supposed to provide books for them but will not match with the text books you are using? Moreover, the books from govt. quota hardly come in govt. time. time. So what s the solution? National curriculum?

17

The school has to provide entitlements (books, uniforms even transportation) to the 25% disadvantaged 25% students. students.

There is provision for MDM for the disadvantaged children. children. How are you going to handle that? Government will reimburse all the expenses as per its norms. norms. The school has to maintain a separate bank account for the amount received. received. No physical punishment or mental harassment of the child while in school. ( Spare the rod and spoil the child school. ??)

18

No disciplinary action ; no expulsion of students is possible. possible.

19

The End

Thank You !

20