The RTE Act: An Overview Leah Verghese Azim Premji Foundation

History Article 45 of the Constitution : free and compulsory education till the age of fourteen years th amendment: Introduction of article 21A 2009 Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act received passed by Parliament and received Presidential assent 2010 Act in force from April 1, 2010

Terminology Right Compulsory Free

4 RTE for the Child Every child between 6 and 14 has the right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school Ban on collection of capitation feeBan on detention in a classBan on screening of children and parents Ban on corporal punishment and mental harassment

5 RTE for Schools Private schools to reserve 25% seats in the entry class for weaker sections and disadvantaged groups Private schools have to obtain recognition within a period of three years from the commencement of the Act Recognition is contingent on meeting norms and standards prescribed in the Schedule to the Act. Norms include : Pupil-teacher ratio Building Playground Kitchen for mid-day meal

6 RTE for Parents and Communities School Management Committee monitor utilisation of grants present and recommend the school development plan perform the other prescribed functions monitor the working of the school

7 Grievance Redressal Centre National Commission for the Protection of Child RIghts State State Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights or Right to Education Protection Authorities District Local authority having jurisdiction

Criticisms of RTE Right to schooling vs. Right to education Impact on low-cost private schools and NGO schools No sanctions for govt school not meeting norms and standards

Challenges Political will Financial constraints Legal challenges

Legal Challenges Reservation for economic classesFreedom to manage and administerRights of minority schools Horizontal application of fundamental rights

The Story So Far 33 states and UTs have notified the Rules 21 states have notified the grievance redressal authorities Drop-out rate reduced from 9.1 in to 6.9 in ,96,231 classrooms and 6 lakh teacher posts have been sanctioned