Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act
Education is the backbone of India. Education is a fundamental right of every human being. It lays the foundation for the development of society. The Indian Parliament enacted the Right to Education Act in 2009, to provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of six to fourteen years. The Act notified that it is a legally enforceable duty of the Centre and the States to provide free and compulsory education. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act finally came into force on 1st April 2010. With the implementation of this Act, it is expected that issues of school drop out, out of school children, quality of education and availability of trained teachers will be addressed in the short to medium term plans. The title of the RTE Act incorporates the words ‘free and compulsory’. ‘Free education’ means that no child, other than a child who has been admitted by his or her parents to a school which is not supported by the appropriate Government, shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing elementary education. ‘Compulsory education’ casts an obligation on the appropriate Government and local authorities to provide and ensure admission, attendance and completion of elementary education by all children in the 6-14 age group.