(a) whether after the provision of Right to Education Act, sports fee,
scout fee, junior red cross fee and other fees can be charged from students
of Class-I to Class-VIII under education fee;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the provisions made by the Government in the Right to Education Act
to operate the above activities in the event of not taking sports fee, scout
guide fee, junior red cross fee and other fees?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(Dr. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) to (c): The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act,
2009 provides that all children in the age group of six to fourteen years shall
have the right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school. In
exercise of such right in a neighbourhood school, a child shall not be liable
to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her
from pursuing and completing elementary education. The RTE Act inter alia
provides that the academic authority appointed by the appropriate Government
shall develop the curriculum and evaluation procedure taking into account
certain principles, including all round development of the child, building
the child’s knowledge, potentiality and talent, and development of mental
and physical abilities to the fullest extent. Accordingly, activities for
physical development of the child are integral part of the curriculum
prescribed by the State Governments for schools.