POSTED BY:  VISHWAPATI MISHRA

What is Right to Education Act (RTE Act)?

The Right to Education Act 2009 (RTE Act 2009)  was enacted by the Parliament of India on 4 August 2009. It describes modalities of the importance of free and compulsory education for children aged between 6-14 years in India under Article 21 (A) of the Constitution of India. This act came into effect on 1 April 2010 and made India one of the 135 countries to have made education a fundamental right for every child. It prescribes minimum norms for elementary schools, prohibits unrecognised schools from practice and advocates against donation fees and interviews of children at the time of admission. The Right to Education Act keeps a check on all neighbourhoods through regular surveys and identifies children who are eligible for receiving education but do not have the means to.

Educational challenges have been prevalent at both the centre and states for many years in India. The Right to Education Act 2009 maps out roles and responsibilities for the centre, state and all local bodies to rectify gaps in their education system in order to enhance the quality of education in the country.

1. Compulsory and free education for all

It is obligatory for the Government to provide free and compulsory elementary education to each and every child, in a neighbourhood school within 1 km, up to class 8 in India. No child is liable to pay fees or any other charges that may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing elementary education. Free education also includes the provisions of textbooks, uniforms, stationery items and special educational material for children with disabilities in order to reduce the burden of school expenses.

In 2013, Oxfam India critiqued Right to Education (RTE) Forum’s Stocktaking Report 2013, which evaluated the three year progress of the Right to Education Act since its enactment in 2009. While considerable progress was made on aspects like primary level enrolment rates, launching new schools, appointment of new teachers and ensuring safe drinking water and toilet facilities for children, the overall delivery did not live up to the expectations. Oxfam India in its policy brief recommended five solutions to rectify gaps and loopholes in order to enhance implementation and effectiveness of the Right to Education Act 2009.