|
New Delhi: Human
Resource Development Minister M.M. Pallam Raju Tuesday said there
will be no extension in Right to Education Act (RTE) deadlines but
left the decision of action against non-complying schools on state
governments.
Talking to reporters after a meeting of the Central Advisory Board
of Education (CABE), the minister said it was the general
consensus in the highest advisory body on education that the
deadline should not be extended.
"Though some states demanded extending the RTE deadline, as of
now, there is a consensus in CABE that the deadline for RTE should
not be extended," the minister said.
The deadline for implementation of RTE Act was March 31, 2013.
However, a lot of states are lagging behind with schools lacking
infrastructure, qualified teachers and other things.
Raju said the responsibility of taking action against schools for
non-compliance of RTE Act was with the state governments. He,
however, assured that non-complying schools will not be shut
overnight.
"It is in the hands of state government to take action. There will
be a process to it, there will be an inspection, then the schools
will be sent notice, they can explain why they are not complying
with the norms," Raju said.
He, however, added that action should be taken against schools
which are in bad shape, or fail to follow the guidelines even
after warnings.
The minister also said that the a lot has been achieved since the
RTE was implemented.
"We have gained in creation of infrastructure, though more needs
to be achieved. We are lagging behind in teachers' training, but
there have been sincere efforts. But there is a positive spirit
among the states to implement the act," he said.
Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh sought extending the deadline of
RTE, while Maharasthra had sought the government to clarify its
position on the issue.
Speaking in the meeting, several states had complained over not
getting enough funds.
Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and
Jammu and Kashmir were among the states that complained that they
were running short of funds for teachers' salaries as well as the
reimbursements to private schools for giving admission to children
from weaker economic sections.
In response, Raju said the budget had to be cut in the last fiscal
due to economic slowdown, but assured the states of adequate funds
this year.
Some states complained that the provision of no detention till
class 8 was affecting the quality of education as well as
attendance. To this, Raju said that a committee has been formed to
look into this aspect of RTE, adding that no detention did not
mean there should be no exams in schools.
Earlier, in his address at the meeting, Raju urged states and
union territories to implement the landmark act.
The minister said that 12,000 more schools had to be constructed
under the RTE, and added that reducing gender and social gaps was
the key areas of focus for the government.
"A plethora of reforms is needed in the education sector. The
debate has shifted from access to quality of education," Raju
said.
The other important issues discussed in the meeting included the
proposal of creating a national testing agency to hold all
entrance exams, and including NationaL Cadet Corps and the
National Service Scheme as elective courses at college level.
|
Comments
|
Quick links