Tamil Nadu Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules

Economic development is a continues an complex process involving the interaction of varied and numerous factors such as natural resources, human resources (manpower), capital and entrepreneurship (organization), which are interrelated and interwoven. The rate of economic growth depends upon the degree of conjuncture of the factors. Of all the factors human resources is the most important factor. In many developed countries, particularly in Japan, trained and skilled manpower played a dominant role in accelerating economic advancement. At present, India has the second largest reservoir of manpower in the world, next only to China. But only a part of the manpower in India is properly educated and trained; only about 12% of the youth get opportunities for higher education. Even today, a large number children India either do not get enrolled or drop out at the primary level. This is more evident in in rural areas and urban slums. As a result, a larger proportion of youth lack proper education and training.The opportunities for skill development is insufficient and thinly spread over the country. The children belonging to the downtrodden sections of society, particularly the SCs,STs and BCs, fall considerably below the middle, upper-middle and richer sections of society. They fall short in opportunities for education and skill development. Moreover, in many areas the children of the down trodden sections, particularly in rural areas, fail to enroll for education due to nonavailability of schools within reach. They are not in a situation to enroll in private unaided schools due to lack of ability to pay the fees.
After so much deliberation the Government of India brought the RTE Act (2009) for providing free and compulsory education to all children aged between six and 14 years. But the implementation of the RTE has been tardy. Only 22 states have notified the Act so far. The government of Tamilnadu has notified the Tamil Nadu Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules on November 12, 2011. It is really a landmark step in fulfilling the objective of hundred percent enrollment and continuing education at least until age 14 ( i.e. up middle school level)The government has instructed that unaided private schools should not discriminate against children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged group. The notification has made clear the unaided schools shall ensure that children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged groups are admitted in pursuance of relevant clauses of the Central Act. It provides that these children, “shall not be segregated from the other children in the classrooms nor shall their classes be held at places and timings different from the classes held for other children." This notification is an important step. The Tamilnadu Chief Minister deserves appreciation for taking steps to implement the provisions of the Act. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the private unaided schools will be adequately compensated for the loss incurred by them providing free education, so that this laudable scheme will be a success.
Dr.C.Murukadas,