The countdown for implementation of the historic Right to Education Act from April 1 has begun. Complete with a new message – `elementary education of equitable quality is now the right of every child’ – and a short awareness film, HRD minister Kapil Sibal has asked chief ministers to cooperate in universalising elementary education.
Though Sibal has chosen to launch RTE from Delhi instead of some educationally deprived state, his letter to CMs makes six suggestions. He has asked states to initiate social mapping exercises to ensure availability of neighbourhood schools. In this regard, he has asked states to start "geospatial mapping" to "delineate the catchment areas of neighbourhood schools". School secretary Anshu Vaish has also sent separate letters to state officials for better implementation.
Sibal has also asked CMs for special training for out-of-school children so that they can be enrolled in the age appropriate class.
Since RTE stipulates a teacher student ratio of 1:30, Sibal has asked states to maintain it. To achieve the ratio, CMs have been asked to put in place a system of re-deployment of teachers "so that the problem of imbalance in teacher deployment is addressed". However, states have been asked to keep in mind "domestic responsibilities" of women teachers.
Stressing on the importance of teachers in the implementation of RTE, Sibal has asked states to fill teacher vacancies. He has also asked CMs to lift "economy orders" in case it is coming in the way of fresh recruitment. "This will help in ensuring that the RTE mandate of maintaining school-wise pupil teacher ratio is fulfilled," Sibal said in his letter.
Continuing with teachers, the HRD minister also said that since RTE mandates training of all untrained teachers within five years, states should prepare a plan that facilitates all untrained teachers.