Question

What is the main purpose of Right to Education Act, 2009 ? 
1. Eradication of Illiteracy
2. Universal Elementary Education to all
3. Free and Compulsory Education to all children of 6 to 14 years of age 
4. All of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Free and Compulsory Education to all children of 6 to 14 years of age 

The correct answer is Free and Compulsory Education to all children of 6 to 14 years of age.

• The Right to Education Act (RTE) Act of the Parliament of India was enacted on 4 August 2009 and came into force on 1 April 2010. This act is also known as the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act because of its provision of, “the fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 to 14 with specifies minimum norms in elementary schools.”

Important Provisions of RTE are as follows:

• Right of children to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education in a neighborhood school.
• It makes provisions for a non-admitted child to be admitted to an age-appropriate class.
• It specifies the duties and responsibilities of appropriate Governments, local authorities, and parents in providing free and compulsory education.
• It lays down the norms and standards relating to Pupil Teacher Ratios (PTRs), buildings and infrastructure, school-working days, teacher-working hours.
• According to the RTE Act, a teacher will spend a minimum of 45 hours in teaching including preparation hours in a week and will be prohibited from the practice of private tuition.
• It provides for the appointment of appropriately trained teachers, i.e. teachers with the requisite entry and academic qualifications. 
• The act prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment.
• It provides for the development of curriculum in consonance with the values enshrined in the Constitution, which would ensure the child's all-around development.

•  The government has launched Samagraha Shiksha Abhiyan to implement the Right to education.
• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan includes three pre-existing school education schemes-
  • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
  • Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Teacher Education