Rajasthan Govt new guidelines on elementary education

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has criticised the Rajasthan state government for its new guidelines on elementary education. Rajasthan’s Department of School Education issued guidelines stating that admissions to private schools under the RTE Act, 2009 for the 2020-21 academic year would take place only from class 1 or above, excluding pre-schoolers (children in the nursery).

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Key-Points

The new guidelines violate the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. They deny children from economically weaker sections the right to free education in nursery classes.

These guidelines are violative of the RTE Act 2009 which states that at least 25% strength of a class in private schools should consist of children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups.

The guidelines only allow children less than 7 years but the RTE Act allows “male or female child of the age of six to fourteen years” for admission.

It recommended the state to re-examine the guidelines in light of the Act and make necessary changes so that there is no loss of education to children.

Part IV of Indian Constitution, Article 45 and Article 39 (f) of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), has a provision for state-funded as well as equitable and accessible education.