Right to education in India

 The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, also known as the Right to Education (RTE) Act, was enacted by the Parliament of India in 2009. The Act aims to provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 to 14 years.

Some of the salient features of the Right to Education Act are:

1. Free and compulsory education: The Act provides for free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years.

2. No capitation fee and screening: The Act prohibits the collection of capitation fee and conducting of any screening procedure during admission.

3. Infrastructure and facilities: The Act lays down norms and standards for the infrastructure and facilities that should be provided in schools.

4. Quality of education: The Act mandates that the curriculum and teaching methodology should be child-centered and should promote the physical and intellectual development of the child.

5. Special provisions for disadvantaged groups: The Act provides for special provisions for the education of children belonging to disadvantaged groups, such as children with disabilities, children belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and children from economically weaker sections.

6. Recognition of schools: The Act lays down criteria for the recognition of schools and mandates that all schools should be recognized by the appropriate authorities.

7. Monitoring and grievance redressal: The Act provides for the establishment of School Management Committees and mandates that the appropriate authorities should monitor the implementation of the Act. It also provides for grievance redressal mechanisms at the district and state levels.

The Right to Education Act is a landmark legislation that has the potential to transform the education system in India. It is aimed at ensuring that every child in India has access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background. However, the effective implementation of the Act remains a challenge, and there is a need for sustained efforts to ensure that every child in India receives the education that they deserve.