UPA Government has done praiseworthy work in the field of education , especially for the poor and deprived section of the society. One such step that it took ,was implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, which became operative on 1st April, 2010. This legislation is expected to have far-reaching implications for elementary education in the coming years to come. This act gives every child a right to elementary education in a formal school which satisfies certain essential norms and standards.
Central Government in order to support this act and to prepare strong base for the implementation of the Act has sanctioned all the States/ Union Territories , 2,441 primary school buildings, 2,453 upper primary school buildings, more than 1.9 lakh additional class-rooms, 8,887 drinking water facilities, and more than 2.69 lakh toilet facilities under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in 2012-13. During 2012-13, under SSA, an amount of Rs. 23,836 crore was released.
Under RTE Act , it has taken into concern that teachers who are appointed in Primary Schools / Basic Education School are trained. So , Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiya special training program is run for primary school teachers. Besides, in fresh recruitment of teachers NCTE : National Council For Teacher Education has given order under RTE act that only those teachers would be absorbed as regular Government teacher, who are able to qualify Teacher Eligibility Test.
No doubt , the aim of the RTE Act is to improve the primary and basic education of India. However, the proper enactment of the Act is not visible in any part of the country, especially Government schools, where most of students are from rural background and deprived section. Quality of teachers, there is a major concern. In many cases it has been found that , teachers are not even aware about the proper name of Weekdays and Month names. Still they are in the job and government seems helpless in removing them and recruiting the eligible candidates for the respectable post of teacher.
So , to make the RTE act a historical step , Government will have to take strict action in implementation of all the norms and standards under this act.