J&K set to implement Right to Education Act

SRINAGAR — The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has finalised the rules under the Right to Education Act-2009 for implementation of the law in the newly carved out Union Territory.

The School Education department has finalised the rules guiding implementation of the law, aimed at providing quality education to the marginalized and deprived students in J&K.

“Today finalised Rules under Right to Education Act; implementation to be a reality in JK UT soon,” Administrative Secretary School Education, Asgar Samoon tweeted.

Under the law, it is obligatory for the government to provide free and compulsory elementary education to each and every child. The law has provisions of reservation of 25 percent seats for students from economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged groups in unaided private schools.

A few days ago, Samoon said that “marginalised students get deprived of quality education as few reputed private schools charge huge admission fees in violation of RTE Act; ambiguity needs to be replaced by prior agreement between parents and management; Rules are being finalised soon.”

He said that “a proposal has been finalised for establishing the J&K UT Council for Education, Research and Training (JKUTCERT) on NCERT pattern for approval of administrative council; hope we achieve quality education in near future.”

The Right to Education Act was enacted on August 04, 2009 to provide compulsory education for children between the age group of 06 to 14 years in India. The Act came into force on 01 April, 2010.