The Right to Education Bill, 2008, an Act to put into ffect the Right to Free and Compulsory Education to all children in the age group of six-14 years, is a 39-page document that details every childs right to free and compulsory education of equitable quality; responsibility of the State, parents, schools, teachers; the content and process of education; and the monitoring process for the implementation of the Act. Excerpts:S.3. Childs right to free and compulsory education of equitable quality (1) Every child who has attained the age of six years under s.4 shall have the right to participate in full time elementary education and to complete it, and towards that end shall have the right, subject to the provisions of this Act to: i) be admitted to a neighbourhood school in accordance with the provisions of s. 17, and (ii) be provided free and compulsory education in such school, in the manner provided in this Act; Provided a child with severe disability as defined by the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection and Full Participation) Act,1996 shall have the right to be provided education as per the provisions of the said Act. (2) A non-enrolled child who is in the age group seven-nine years, at the commencement of this Act, shall, in addition to the right specified in subclause (1), have the right to be admitted to an age appropriate grade in a neighbourhood school within one year from the commencement of this Act. (5) No child shall be held back in any grade until she completes elementary education and shall be assessed as per s.32 (2) (vi). S. 6. General responsibility of the state It shall be the responsibility of the State: (1) To ensure the availability of a neighbourhood school for providing free and compulsory education for every child within a period or three years from commencement of this Act; Provided that in case of non-availability of neighbourhood school, the State shall provide free transportation arrangement to the nearest school or provide free residential school/facilities, (3) To institute and implement a mechanism for regular monitoring of enrollment, participation and attainment status of every child, and taking corrective steps wherever necessary, so that every child completes elementary education, and to make information in this regard available in the public domain, including on an on-line basis, (4) To ensure that children in schools receive education (a) of equitable quality, and (b) conforming to values enshrined in the Constitution… S.15. Responsibility of the parent/guardian It shall be the responsibility of every parent/guardian to enroll his child or ward, who has attained the entry age as defined in s.4 of this Act, in a school, and to facilitate her completion of elementary education. S.17. Responsibility of schools to provide free and compulsory education 1) Schools shall provide free and compulsory elementary education to children entitled under s.3 to the extent and in the manner specified below: (i) State schools, except schools of specified categories, and fully aided schools — to all…
