Question : IMPLEMENTATION OF RTE ACT

(a) whether the Government has conducted any survey/review to find out the number of children getting free education under the Right to Education Act;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the targets fixed and achieved under the Act since its inception, State/UT-wise;

(c) the details of the funds allocated and spent under the Act during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether any exemption is provided to minority schools under the Act and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/contemplated by the Government for the effective implementation of the Act?

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

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 59 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9TH JULY, 2014 ASKED BY SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL AND DR. M. THAMBI DURAI REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF RTE ACT

(a) & (b): The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 mandates that all children in the age group of 6-14 years should be enrolled in elementary schools. As per District Information System for Education (DISE) 2013-14, 19.88 crore children are enrolled in schools in that age group, of which 13.79 crore children are in government and government aided schools. In 16 States/UTs under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, which provides for 25% reservation in admission in private unaided schools, admissions have been made. The State wise enrolment since implementation of the RTE Act, 2009 is at Annexure-1.

(c): Details of funds allocated and expenditure for the last three years and the current year under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme, which is the designated scheme for providing central assistance to States for implementation of the RTE Act, is at Annexure-2.

(d): An amendment to the RTE Act, 2009 on 20th June, 2012 provides that (i) subject to the provisions of Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, the provisions of this Act shall apply to conferments of rights on children to free and compulsory education and (ii) nothing contained in this Act shall apply to Madrasas, Vedic Pathshalas and educational institutions primarily providing religious instructions.

(e): The Central government supports the States/UTs to implement the RTE Act, through the SSA programme, to open new schools, upgrade school infrastructure including construction of additional classrooms, toilet facilities for girls and boys, drinking water, barrier free access for children with special needs, as well as through funds for appointment of additional teachers, in service teacher training, free textbooks, and free uniforms to girls, SC/ST, BPL boys. Furthermore, the Government of India from time to time, has issued 11 guidelines and 3 advisories to State Governments/UT Administrations, to clarify issues for better implementation of the RTE Act. Periodic reviews on the progress of implementation of the RTE Act are also held with the State Governments/ UT Administration.