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Discuss salient features of RTE Act, 2009 ?
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act), 2009 is a landmark legislation in India that aims to provide free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 years. It was enacted with the goal of achieving universal elementary education and ensuring quality education for all children, irrespective of their socio-economic background. Here are the salient features of the RTE Act, 2009:
1. Free and Compulsory Education
- Free Education: The RTE Act mandates that children aged 6 to 14 years are entitled to free education in a school within their neighborhood. This includes free textbooks, uniforms, and materials for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Compulsory Education: Parents or guardians are legally obligated to ensure that their children receive an education. If they fail to do so, they can be held accountable under the law.
2. Applicability
- The Act applies to all private and public schools, including schools run by government, local authorities, and private bodies.
- It applies to children in the age group of 6 to 14 years, covering the primary education stage (Class 1 to Class 8) for all children in this age group.
3. Quality of Education
- The Act stipulates that education must be of a suitable quality and must conform to prescribed norms.
- Infrastructure Standards: Schools must meet specific requirements, including having proper buildings, a sufficient number of classrooms, toilets, clean drinking water, and playgrounds.
- Teacher Qualifications: Teachers must have the minimum qualifications, which include specific certifications or degrees related to the teaching profession. The Act mandates teacher training for better pedagogical standards.
4. No Detention Policy
- The RTE Act mandates that no child shall be held back or expelled from school until they complete elementary education (Class 8).
- This ensures that children are not forced to drop out of school due to academic failure. However, it also emphasizes continuous and comprehensive assessment (CCA) to improve learning outcomes.
5. Inclusive Education
- The Act provides provisions for inclusive education, ensuring that children with disabilities, from disadvantaged social groups, and those in remote areas have equal access to education.
- Special provisions for children with disabilities, including special schools, ramps, braille textbooks, and sign language interpreters, are made mandatory.
6. 25% Reservation in Private Schools
- Private unaided schools are required to reserve 25% of their seats for children from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other backward classes (OBC).
- This provision aims to ensure that children from marginalized communities have access to quality education in private institutions.
7. School Management Committees (SMCs)
- The Act mandates the formation of School Management Committees (SMCs) in each school, comprising parents, teachers, and local authority representatives.
- These committees are tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Act at the school level, managing school funds, and ensuring accountability in the delivery of education.
8. Monitoring and Accountability
- The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) are responsible for monitoring the implementation of the RTE Act.
- District Education Officers (DEOs) are responsible for ensuring that schools comply with the Act’s provisions.
- The government is required to maintain an online database of all children in the age group of 6-14 to monitor enrollment and attendance.
9. No Capitation Fee or Unfair Practices
- The Act prohibits schools from charging capitation fees or making any donations for admission purposes.
- It also bars schools from following unfair practices like conducting entrance exams or interviews for admission at the elementary education level.
10. Curricular and Pedagogical Standards
- The Act emphasizes that schools should adopt a child-centric approach to learning. It focuses on creative teaching methods rather than rote learning.
- The Act promotes comprehensive and continuous assessment of students to track their overall development and ensure holistic learning.
- It also encourages the development of a broad-based curriculum that is flexible and considers the interests, abilities, and needs of students.
11. Role of Local Authorities
- Local authorities are required to ensure that schools comply with the RTE Act’s provisions. These authorities are responsible for providing the infrastructure and resources required for the establishment of new schools, particularly in underserved or rural areas.
- The local authorities are also responsible for monitoring school attendance and ensuring that all children in their jurisdiction are enrolled and attend school regularly.
12. Child Rights and Protection
- The Act enforces the principle that every child has the right to education in a safe and secure environment.
- Provisions related to child protection ensure that children are protected from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at school, and schools must have mechanisms to report such abuses.
13. Responsibility of the Government
- The central and state governments are responsible for ensuring the implementation of the provisions of the RTE Act.
- The government is tasked with ensuring that the necessary resources, infrastructure, and support systems are in place for effective delivery of education. This includes providing funding, managing teacher training, and improving school facilities.
The RTE Act, 2009 is a significant step towards achieving universal education in India by providing free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 years. The Act’s features aim to ensure quality education, inclusive learning environments, and equitable access to educational opportunities. It emphasizes accountability, teacher development, and infrastructural standards, while also ensuring protective rights for children in schools. However, challenges like ensuring the effective implementation of the Act, especially in rural and underserved areas, still remain.
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