The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Policy of 2009 does not provide for :

The correct answer is - Non-justiciable right to all children between the ages of 6-14 years

Key Points

• The Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Policy, 2009
  • The RTE Act, 2009, provides for a justiciable right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years.
  • A justiciable right means that if this right is violated, a child or their guardian can approach the courts for enforcement.
  • The correct option, "Non-justiciable right," is incorrect because the RTE Act explicitly establishes the right as justiciable.
• Free and Compulsory Education
  • The Act mandates that education must be free (no financial burden on families) and compulsory (ensuring all children are enrolled and attend school).
  • The government is responsible for providing the necessary resources, including infrastructure, trained teachers, and funding.
• Equitable Quality Education
  • The RTE Act emphasizes providing education of equitable quality to reduce disparities based on socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Special provisions exist for disadvantaged groups, such as children from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and economically weaker sections.
• Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR)
  • The Act requires schools to maintain specific norms for the pupil-teacher ratio to ensure effective teaching and learning.
  • For example, the PTR for primary schools is mandated to be 30:1, and for upper primary schools, it is 35:1.

Additional Information

• Provisions of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act
  • Admission Norms: Schools must admit children without discrimination, even if they lack birth certificates or prior academic records.
  • No Detention Policy: The Act initially prohibited failing students in classes up to 8th grade; however, amendments now allow for exams but still encourage remedial support before detention.
  • Inclusive Education: Private schools must reserve 25% of seats for children from weaker sections and disadvantaged groups under the Act.
• Challenges in Implementation
  • Infrastructure Issues: Many schools lack adequate classrooms, drinking water, and sanitation facilities.
  • Teacher Training: A significant number of teachers are either untrained or underqualified, impacting the quality of education.
  • Dropout Rates: Despite the Act, dropout rates remain high due to economic constraints and social issues.
• Constitutional Backing
  • The RTE Act is linked to Article 21A of the Indian Constitution, which makes education a fundamental right.
  • It aligns with the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 45, which emphasizes providing early childhood care and education.