RIGHT OF CHILDREN TO FREE
AND COMPULSORY
EDUCATION ACT, 2009
Vikram Sahay, Director, Ministry of HRD, Govt. Of India
Education a Fundamental Right : India
Directive
Principles of
State Policy
Supreme Court (1992) : Right to
Education inherent in ‘Right to Life’ and
‘Right to Equality’
Article 21A (2002): “The State shall provide free and
compulsory education to all children of the age
Of six to fourteen years in such manner as the
State may determine, by law.”
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
21A and RTE Act enforced w.e.f. 1st April, 2010
Exctract from Objectives of RTE Act
“…..Provision of free and compulsory education
of satisfactory quality to children from
disadvantaged group and weaker sections is,
therefore, not merely the responsibility of
Schools run or supported by the appropriate
Governments, but also of schools which are not
dependent on Government schools.”
Dimension
1.2 million
schools
200 million
children
Child
Labour
Financial
Commitment
Disadvantaged
and weaker
section
8 million
Children
not in school
Pluralistic
society
Right of Children
Free and Compulsory admission, attendance,
Completion of Elementary Education
Removal
of
Financial
barrier
Compulsion on Government
Duty of Parents
Special provision for children
with disabilities
No Expulsion
No detention
Bars corporal punishment
Mental harassment
Special provision
for Out-of-School children
Teachers
National level Teacher qualification norms
Prohibits
Private Tuition
Prohibits
Teacher
deployment for
Non-educational
purpose
Academic
Responsibilities
1 maintain regularity and punctuality
2 complete prescribed curriculum in
specified time
3 assess learning ability of each child;
supplement additional instructions
4 Hold regular meetings with parents
Teacher position and challenges
600,000 untrained teachers
CHALLENGES
500,000 posts vacant
Another 500,000 teachers required
Rural-urban imbalance in deployment
Imbalance in availability of TEIs
Curriculum Reforms
Assessment and Evaluation
SHRDC programme on BSSFA, Islamabad, 18-29th April, 2011
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Recent Initiatives
Development of a new National Curriculum
Framework on Teacher Education, linking with NCF,
2005 and the RTE Act, 2009
Model sylabii for elementary, secondary and
Masters programmes in Teacher Education courses
Preparation of a compendium of resource
material for student-teachers
Implications of RTE Act on ITP and CTD
Development of State-specific distance TE
courses for untrained teachers
SHRDC programme on BSSFA, Islamabad, 18-29th April, 2011
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Each School
Infrastructure
1 one classroom for
every teacher
2 barrier-free access
3 separate toilets for
boys and girls
4 drinking water facility
5 playground
6 Boundary wall/fencing
7 Library
8 play material, games
Academics
1 PTR 1:30 (Primary)
2 PTR 1:35 (U Primary)
3 Subject teachers in
Upper primary
4 part-time instructors
5 200 working days (Pr.)
6 220 working days (u. Pr)
7 45 working hrs/week
8 TLM
School Management Committee in Government schools
to monitor school functioning
Schools
No capitation
fees
Penal
Provisions
No screening for
admission
No school
Without
recognition
SOCIAL
EQUITY
ISSUES
>/=25% admission in private schools from
Children from disadvantaged/weaker section
Free education to at least 25% children in
Aided schools
Curriculum
Content/Principles
Conform to constitutional values
Make child free from fear, trauma, anxiety
child-centred, child-friendly
learning through activities
instruction in child’s mother tongue
as far as practicable
 Continuous and comprehensive evaluation





No Board Examination till completion of EE
Duties: Central Government
Develop national framework of curriculum
Develop and enforce standards of teacher training
Lay down minimum teacher qualification norms
Prepare estimates of capital and recurring expenditure
Provide resources to State Governments
Duties: Appropriate Government, Local Authority
Ensure Free and compulsory education
Establish neighbourhood school within 3 years
Special training for un-enrolled and drop-out children
Monitoring of admission, attendance, completion of EE
Timely prescription of curriculum, courses of study,
Teachers’ training
Protection of Right
Local Authority – First level of
Grievance redressal
Grievance
for violation
of rights of the
child
State Commissions for
Protection of Child Rights
Parents
Guardian
Any person
National Commission for
Protection of Child Rights
Steps taken for implementation
Model Rules circulated; Central Rules notified
27 StatesUTs have notified State Rules
Rs 2.31 lakh crore approved for 5 years
New implementation norms notified
New teacher qualification norms; Teacher Eligibility Test
Steps taken for implementation
27 States have notified prohibition of corporal punishment
25 States notified prohibiting screening and capitation fees
25 States notified banning Board exams in class VIII
25 States have notified academic authority
Teacher Qualifications
Class I-V
50% in Class XII
with 2-year D.Ed
50% in Class XII with
4-year B.El.Ed
50% in Class XII
with 2-year D.Ed
(Special Education)
Class VI-VIII
 Graduation with 2-year
D.Ed
 50% in Graduation
with 1-year B.Ed
50% in Class XII with
4-year B.El.Ed
50% in Graduation
with 1-year B.Ed
(Special Education)
Pass in Teacher Eligibility Test
What Government expects from unaided schools
Follow the admission Guidelines issued by the Government
Ban capitation fees, private tuition
Adhere to the norms and standards in the Schedule
Admit children from disadvantaged group and weaker section
Appoint persons who have passed TET as school teachers
What Government expects from unaided schools
No detention, no expulsion of children in classes I-VIII
No corporal punishment to children
Seek recognition from the State Government
Follow curriculum based on principles enshrined in section 29
Orient teachers towards their duties under the RTE Act
Teachers
Touch
Tomorrow
Thank You
For further details visit : www.education.nic.in
vikramsahay7@gmail.com
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