Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority

Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) came in to existence as a registered society on
30th January 1996. The School & Mass Education(S & ME) department in the Government of Odisha has the responsibility to achieve the goals of Universal Elementary Education (UEE).
Read more

1 of 5 Next »

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education

Every child between the ages of 6 to 14 years has the right to free and compulsory education. This is stated as per the 86th Constitution Amendment Act added in Article 21A. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (RCFCE Act) seeks to give effect to this amendment. The government schools shall provide free education to all the children and the schools will be managed by school management committees (SMC). Private schools shall admit at least 25% of the children in their schools without any fee. The National Commission for Elementary Education shall be constituted to monitor all aspects of elementary education including quality. MAIN FEATURES OF RCFCE ACT 2009 :– The salient features of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 are – Free and compulsory education to all children of India in the six to 14 age group; No child shall be held back, expelled or required to pass a board examination until completion of elementary education;
A child above six years of age has not been admitted in any school or though admitted could not complete his or her elementary education, then, he or she shall be admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age; provided that where a child is directly admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age, then he or she shall, in order to be at par with others, have a right to receive special training, in such manner and within such time limits, as may be prescribed. Provided further that a child so admitted to elementary education shall be entitled to free education till completion of elementary education even after fourteen years. Proof of age for admission: For the purpose of admission to elementary education, the age of a child shall be determined on the basis of birth certificate issued in accordance with the provisions of the Births, Deaths, Marriages Registration Act, 1856 or on the basis of such other document, as may be prescribed. No child shall be denied admission in a school for lack of age proof. A child who completes elementary education shall be awarded a certificate; Calls for a fixed student-teacher ratio; Will apply to all of India except Jammu and Kashmir; Provides for 25 percent reservation for economically disadvantaged communities in admission to class-1 in all private schools; Mandates improvement in quality of education; School teachers will need adequate professional degree within five years or else will lose job; School infrastructure (where there is problem) to be improved in three years, else recognition cancelled; Financial burden will be shared between state and central government.

1 of 5 Next »