Introduction

Education is not just a fundamental right but also a potent tool for social and economic development. Recognizing the importance of education, India implemented the Right to Education Act (RTE) in 2009, a landmark legislation aimed at ensuring free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14. India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child when the Act came into force on 1 April 2010.

In this article, we analyze the Right to Education Act and its impact on ensuring quality education for all children in India.

 

The Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009

The RTE Act is a historic piece of legislation that affirms every child’s right to quality education. Its key provisions include:

• Compulsory Education: The act mandates that all children between the ages of 6 and 14 have the right to free and compulsory education.
• No Discrimination: It prohibits discrimination against children based on gender, caste, religion, or disability and ensures equal opportunities for all.
• Quality Education: The act emphasizes the need for quality education, outlining specific norms and standards for schools, including infrastructure, teacher-student ratios, and curriculum.
• Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections: Section 12 (1) (c) of the Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009 requires unaided private schools to reserve at least 25% seats for children from economically and socially disadvantaged communities.
• Prohibition of Screening Procedures: The act prohibits schools from conducting interviews or screenings for admissions.
• Teaching Standards: The RTE Act outlines minimum qualifications for teachers, aiming to improve the quality of teaching.

 

Impact of the RTE Act on Access to Education

Since the implementation of the RTE Act, there have been significant improvements in access to education in India:

• Increased Enrollment: The act has led to a notable increase in school enrollment rates, particularly among marginalized communities.
• Reduced Drop-Out Rates: By making education free and compulsory, the RTE Act has reduced drop-out rates, especially among girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Access to Private Schools: The provision for economically weaker sections to access private schools has diversified the educational landscape and allowed children from underserved communities to receive a quality education.

 

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

Despite its achievements, the RTE Act faces several challenges:

• Quality of Education: Ensuring quality education remains a challenge, with variations in teaching standards, infrastructure, and learning outcomes across schools.
• Shortage of Trained Teachers: A shortage of qualified and trained teachers hampers the effective implementation of the act.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Many schools lack proper infrastructure and basic amenities, affecting the overall learning experience.
• Monitoring and Enforcement: Monitoring and enforcing the act at the grassroots level can be challenging, leading to disparities in implementation.

 

The Way Forward

The Right to Education Act is a significant step towards realizing the dream of universal education in India. It has made education accessible to many children who were previously excluded from the education system. However, to achieve the goal of quality education for all, there is a need for continued investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and monitoring mechanisms.

Efforts to strengthen the enforcement of the act, improve teacher quality, and address disparities in infrastructure must be prioritized. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and community involvement can play a crucial role in ensuring that every child in India can access a quality education, ultimately leading to a more equitable and prosperous society.

 

Why are private Schools and EWDS children not happy when admitted in private Schools?

The school has problems because the schools are burdened with greater teacher training requirements and can’t identify inclusionary practices in their schools. Teachers cannot cope with the academic and social needs of EWDS children. They suffer from an added financial pressure. Teachers and school staff/management tend to have biases about the EWDS children and parents School management has biases about the EWDS children and parents

The students and parents Child cannot handle the different home and school environments Parent finds it a privilege to be a part of elite schools, and don’t see it as a right they deserve Child cannot cope academically Parent cannot talk to the school about their needs Child is unable to follow school’s code of conduct Parent doesn’t have the know how to academically support their kids at home Child does not feel emotionally included in the school

 

What Needs to be Done by Private School administration and local Governance?

It has been studied that there is a dire need to work with EWDS students. The more we can help these students, the more impactful the entire classroom will become. The following are a few techniques that a school can use to provide support for EWDS students:

1. 1.The Parent and EWDS child should not at any time feel that it is a favor done to them.
2. Remedial classes to address academic needs at an individual level. The remedial classes be done in after school hours so that the children do not miss out on sports and cultural activities.
3. Increasing the number of conversations with EWDS students based on need.
4. Focusing on holistic development of children
5. Support from school counsellors for students and parents
6. Assessing the growth of children closely to get feedback on your efforts

 

What Can we do as a community?

The RTE Act requires surveys that will monitor all neighborhoods, identify children requiring education, and set up facilities for providing it. The World Bank education specialist for India, Sam Carlson, has observed: “The RTE Act is the first legislation in the world that puts the responsibility of ensuring enrolment, attendance and completion on the Government.  So we in community if see a child not attending school/ involved in child labour we need to involve the local administration to explain the social schemes which are available and assist with these households.

 

How can I as a citizen enroll a child in school under RTE Act?

1. When you spot a child in your neighborhoods not attending school. If you see a child beggar or child in employment, please act. Talk to the parent and child. Explain to them their rights and duties towards their children.
2. Explain that children are safer in School, that they will get one healthy Meal as part of the Mid-Day Meal Program.
3. Make them understand the RTE Act which provides children right to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education in a neighborhood school. No school (including private schools) can deny admission to a child.
4. Help them in locating a school, government or private in their community or neighborhood. If there is any difficulty contact the District Education officer of your city .  RteForumIndia | Sarkari Yojana. You can see more details regarding this page.
5. Assist them in getting their documents like Birth Certificate, Aadhar Card, EWS card, Address proof etc. which will be needed in School admission.

 

Which Kind of Schools Can the Child be admitted in?

Section 12 of the Act, 2009 is applicable to 4 different categories of schools with varying levels of responsibility:

i) a school established, owned, or controlled by the appropriate Government or a local authority; shall provide free and compulsory education to all children admitted therein.

ii) an aided school receiving aid or grants to meet whole or parts of its expenses from the appropriate Government or the local authority; shall provide free and compulsory education to a minimum of twenty-five percent.

iii) a school belonging to a specified category; and

iv) an unaided school not receiving any kind of aid or grants to meet its expenses from the appropriate Government or the local authority; shall admit in class 1 to the extent of at least twenty-five per cent of the strength of that class, children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged group in the neighborhood and provide free and compulsory education till its completion.

 

Which class will the student be admitted?

RTE makes provisions for a non-admitted child to be admitted to an age-appropriate class. e.g., if child is of age 8 at the time of enrollment with no previous schooling or education, he/she must be enrolled as per the age.5 years old = Class 1st6 years old = Class 2nd and so on

 

What Can Citizens Do Additionally to Support?

Once child is ready to be admitted you should understand and work with parents on the difficulties, he/she may face, take tuitions, prepare them with alphabets, numbers etc. assist them with resources which you may have in your community households, generate funds from the community. Involve the other children in your neighborhood to show respect and engage with them to exercise their duties to make the child happy and succeed in class. You or another volunteer could accompany the child and parent for admission. If agreed and  if needed become a guardian to attend PTMs and follow up on your student’s performance and tackle any further difficulties, till the child settles well in school.