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Is it Time to Amend the Right to Education Act?

Writer's picture: Development ConnectsDevelopment Connects

 

In 2009, the passage of the Right to Education (RTE) Act marked a significant step in India’s commitment to ensuring free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years. Backed by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Act laid the groundwork for universal access to elementary education, bridging gender and social gaps. However, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 introduces a forward-looking vision to provide well-rounded, equitable learning opportunities, emphasizing quality over access alone. For the NEP’s ambitious goals to materialize, amendments to the RTE Act may be crucial.


The Need for Amendments

NEP 2020 seeks to address critical gaps by introducing early childhood care and education (ECCE), implementing stage-specific assessments, enhancing teacher qualifications, forming school clusters, and establishing a transparent school ranking system. While these proposals align with global educational standards and sustainable development goals, the current RTE framework lacks the provisions necessary for their execution.


Expanding Universal Education

The RTE Act mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 but excludes the foundational years (ages 3 to 6) critical for cognitive and motor development. NEP 2020 emphasizes ECCE as a priority, envisioning structured learning experiences that prepare children for primary education. Including ECCE in the RTE framework and providing the necessary infrastructure, teacher training, and resources for Anganwadi centers would ensure early and equitable learning opportunities for all children.


Stage-Specific Assessments

To address declining learning outcomes, the NEP recommends regular assessments at grades 3, 5, and 8, moving beyond the no-detention policy of the RTE Act. These assessments would identify learning gaps early and enable tailored support, reducing dropout rates while improving foundational skills. Amending the RTE Act to incorporate these stage-specific evaluations ensures that both students and teachers are held accountable, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.


Enhancing Teacher Qualifications

Under the current RTE Act, teacher qualifications lack standardization. The NEP proposes rigorous eligibility tests, interviews, and classroom demonstrations to ensure only qualified and passionate educators enter the system. Continuous professional development (CPD) is also prioritized, equipping teachers with pedagogical and technological skills to meet diverse student needs. Amending the RTE Act to include these provisions would address inconsistencies in teacher quality and improve learning outcomes.


School Complex Management Committees

The NEP introduces the concept of school complexes—clusters comprising a secondary school and nearby primary schools and Anganwadis—to streamline governance and resource allocation. While the RTE Act mandates school management committees (SMCs), integrating them into school complexes could improve coordination, monitoring, and adherence to academic standards. This model fosters resource sharing, reduces teacher isolation, and makes schools more responsive to local needs.


Transparent School Ranking Systems

The RTE Act focuses on infrastructure but lacks mechanisms to assess school quality comprehensively. NEP’s proposed School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF) benchmarks standards across schools, promoting transparency and accountability. Public dashboards under SQAAF would empower parents, facilitate equity, and encourage continuous improvement within the school system. However, care must be taken to ensure rankings do not lead to superficial compliance at the expense of meaningful progress.


Challenges and Opportunities

While these amendments promise transformative changes, implementation challenges persist. Concerns include funding gaps, potential teacher shortages, and the complexity of integrating ECCE and school complexes into the existing framework. Policymakers must also address equity concerns to ensure marginalized communities benefit equally.


Despite these hurdles, aligning the RTE Act with NEP 2020 is a vital step toward building an education system that prepares future generations for the demands of a rapidly changing world. By amending the Act, India can move closer to achieving its educational and developmental aspirations.


Note : This narrative is based on insights from Khushboo Awasthi and Vinay R Sanjivi, experts in public education and policy implementation.

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