India's 90% schools not complying with Right to Education Act, alleges RTE Forum

By Mitra Ranjan*
The Right to Education (RTE) Forum (RTE), along with Campaign against Child Labour (CACL) and the Alliance for the Right to Early Childhood Development, has launched a nationwide campaign on right to education (RTE -- from pre-primary to higher secondary) and abolition of child labour. Addressing media at the Press Club of India, New Delhi, Dr Sayeeda Hamid, former member of Planning Commission of India and Padma Shree, an RTE manifesto, collaboratively developed by the three networks, was also released.
Dr Hamid said, “It is very tragic to see that our priorities have changed. Now education is not figured in the priority list of the governments. Focus has been shifted to trivial controversies. Now the governments want to shun the responsibility of education to private sector.”
Explaining the need and importance of the nationwide campaign, Ambarish Rai, national convener, RTE Forum, said, “As you are aware, 2019 will be a watershed year for India. The upcoming general elections next year will be an appropriate opportunity for the people of this country to demand a commitment from political parties to secure the rights of our children, particularly their education."
Rai added, "In the recent years, we have seen how things have gone from bad to worst in terms of education. If we don’t assert this time and loose this opportunity, the future generation will not forgive us. So, we are morally bound to raise this important issue with full force. It’s shameful that still more than 90% schools are not compliant with RTE norms even after eight years of the enactment of the RTE Act, 2009. ”
Earlier, welcoming the guests and participants, Ashok Kumar, national advocacy convener, CACL, said, “Child labour is a big blot on this country. Without eradicating this menace our country can’t progress further. It is imperative to ban it completely and substantially.”

On this occasion, the three networks presented a charter of demands to ensure complete implementation of the RTE Act, 2009 and extend the purview of RTE Act 2009 from birth to 18 years, asking the government to ensure at least 6 percent budget of the Gross Domestic Peoduct (GDP) for education.
Insising to stop inequality in education and move towards a 'common school system', the network demanded that the government must strengthen school management committees (SMCs) and community participation in education, asking the government to ensure total eradication of child labour up to the age of 18 years.
Seeking concrete steps for universal, quality, and equitable public education in safe and secure environment till 18 years of age from elected peoples' representatives, it wanted a ban on commercialization and privatization of education, even as bringing in a strong regulatory Act to control fee hike and strengthen the accountability of private schools and early childhood care and education (ECCE) centres.
Asking the government not to amend the “no detention policy” provisioned in section 16 of the RTE Act, 2009, the network wanted it to take concrete steps to stop mass closure of government schools in the name of merger and re-open those that have been closed.

Devika Singh of the Alliance for Right to Early Childhood Development, proposed vote of thanks.
---
*Coordinator, Media & Research, RTE Forum

Comments

Child Education in India said…

True, Some schools still do not follow the RTE Act 2009. Your concern is absolutely right, because many people are not fully aware of this act. So need to people aware this act. This blog share 10 things you need to know about the RTE Act.
10 things about the RTE Act

November 08, 2019

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor* A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas* Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Overriding India's constitutional sovereignty? Citizens urge PM to reject WHO IHR amendments

By A Representative A group of concerned Indian citizens, including medical professionals and activists, has sent an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to reject proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) before the ratification deadline of July 19, 2025.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.

Search This Blog