Main Features of the RTE Act-2009

Main Features of the RTE Act-2009

 

The main features of the Act includes the provision that local authorities would identify school children above six years and provide them appropriate placement and support through special services. There would be 25% provision for children from weaker sections in private schools and no school can undertake screening for admission. Norms for minimum infrastructural facilities such as classrooms, boundary walls, etc, pupil teacher ratio, and qualifications within three years have also been prescribed. Constitution of School Management Committees is prescribed for all schools and their role in supporting and monitoring school performance through the development of School Development Plans has been directed. Each state was asked in 2010 to develop Model Rules in the first year for implementation of the Act and states were expected to undertake school mapping and household survey’s to identify all out-of-school children and maintain a record of all children with a special focus on hardest to reach children e.g. street and working children, children with disabilities, children in institutions etc. Neighbourhood schools were to be identified under the norm of primary schools within walking distance of one km and upper primary within a walking distance of three km of the neighbourhood. In the absence of a school in small hamlets, the state government has been instructed to make adequate arrangement like residential facilities and free transportation particularly for children with physical impairment to enable them to access schools easily.

 

The Act also focuses on quality aspects of education and school curriculums is required to focus on the all around development of the child; building up a child’s knowledge, ability and talent; learning through activities, discovery and exploration in a child friendly and child-centred manner. In order to provide child protection mechanisms the Act mandates that no child should be subjected to corporal punishment and mental harassment. Furthermore the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the respective State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights have been authorised to monitor the implementation of the Act, as well as act as a redressal cell.