By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: In historic enactment the Parliament yesterday passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2009, making education free and compulsory for children in the 6-14 years age group, with Lok Sabha approving it by voice vote. The Rajya Sabha had already passed the bill.
While Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal termed the act as historic the Lok Sabha witnessed thin attendence when the Bill was being passed.
Salient Features of the Bill:
*Rs 10,000 fine against anyone who prevents a child from getting elementary education or employs him/her as a “working child”
*No fee/charges
*No selection/screening process to selct one child in preference to another
*No child will be held back untill class VIII on account of poor academics or expelled except through the order of School Management Committee
*No physical punishment to children in any form
*Primary school (1-5) must have 200 working days
*Upper Primary (6-8) must have 220 working days
*Minimum 45 working hours for every teacher per week
*State governments to set up neighborhood schools, provide free transport
*Within one year, state shall ensure that all out of school children aged 7-9 are enrolled in neighborhood schools