Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (2009)

 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 Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (2009), which provides for 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,The Hindu, Nov 17, 2011