Port Blair, Nov 16: In a recent visit and conversation with islanders residing in various parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands by Dr. J Arockia Raj, National Member, World Human Rights Protection Commission, New Delhi, India came to know the ground realities in the matter of negligence in implementation of RTE Act 2009 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the Educational Institutions. It was came to know that many poor parents were been denied to provide Compulsory Free Education to children between age group of 6 yrs to 14 yrs under the Act.
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) makes education a fundamental right for children between the ages of 6 and 14. The RTE Act of 2009 includes the following provisions:
Fundamental right: Makes education a fundamental right for children between the ages of 6 and 14
Minimum norms: Specifies minimum norms in elementary schools
Private school seats: Requires all private schools to reserve 25% of seats to children
No detention: No child may be detained till he completes class 8
Disadvantaged groups: States those children with disabilities come under the ‘disadvantaged group’ classification
Economically weaker sections: Ensures free elementary education to all children in the economically weaker sections of society
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 396 schools spread over 36 Islands. Of these, 306 are managed by the Department of Education, 02 by Kendriya Vidhyalaya Sangatan, 02 by Navodaya Vidhyalaya Samiti, 2 are aided schools, 02 schools are maintained by Municipal Council and 71 are privately managed schools.
Upon inquiring about the matter, Dr. J Arockia Raj, National Member, WHRPC had requested the Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration to initiate necessary action through Education Department for strictly implementation of RTE Act 2009 throughout these islands in a communication.