THE GIST OF RTE ACT: RESPOSIBILITIES OF TEACHERS
Introduction
In India the Right to Education Bill is a constitutional amendment passed by the Indian parliament on 4th August 2009 which promises free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India. The bill also have provisions for no donation or capitation and no interview of the child or parent for the admission.. The bill was approved by the cabinet on 2nd July 2009.
The RTE Act mandates that school teachers should have the necessary adequate professional qualifications to ensure quality of education. The Act makes funds available for teachers to undergo the necessary training and acquire the skills to ensure this. Regular school teachers can now be encouraged to take up the additional responsibilities.
THE GIST OF RTE ACT ARE
• Free elementary education for all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years in a neighbourhood school.
• The state has to provide compulsory elementary education and to ensure not just enrollment but attendance and completion of education
• It is mandatory to educate children along with their peer group. Special training should be given to facilitate age appropriate education.
• Sets quality norms for all schools like pupil- teachers ratio (cannot exceed 1:30) 200 to 250 minimum days of school functioning in a year, minimum four to five hours of instruction in school daily, 45 hours a week as minimum working hours for the teachers, separate subject teachers and head-teacher, one class room for every teacher, separate and functional toilets along with clean and adequate drinking water and playground, boundary wall, library and kitchen.
• The qualification and working norms for teachers laid down by academic authority and teacher education and training institute to be upgraded to enable quality education.
• Regulates curriculum in all schools that must