Question : Closure of Small Schools

(a) whether the Government is aware that several schools are likely to be shut down in the country because of the mandatory rules regarding land and recognition provided in the RTE Act regardless of the fact that such schools have been functioning before the framing of such rules and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware that a number of students are likely to be affected due to such decisions of the Government and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if so, whether the Government proposes to take any remedial measures to keep such schools functioning?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): Central Government has enacted the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 with the aim of universalizing elementary education in the age group of 6 to 14 years in the country. Section 18(1) of the RTE Act, 2009 mandates that no school, other than a school established, owned or controlled by the appropriate Government or the local authority, shall, after the commencement of this Act, be established or function, without obtaining a certificate of recognition from such authority.
The process of recognition and withdrawal of recognition of schools is in the domain of State/UT Governments and the data on the grant of recognition or the shutting down of schools is not maintained centrally. However, as per Unified District Education System for Education 2013-14, against a total of 14,48,712 schools in the country, only 21,351 (1.47%) were unrecognized.
The State Governments/Union Territories are the appropriate authority to ensure effective compliance with the norms specified under the RTE Act.
Section 18(3) of RTE Act further states that on the contravention of the conditions of recognition, the prescribed authority shall, by an order in writing, withdraw recognition. Such order shall contain a direction as to which of the neighbourhood school, the children studying in the derecognized schools, shall be admitted.
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