Child education
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 12 2011:
Asserting that entrance test conducted for admission to some private as well as Government schools is in violation of the provisions under Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has demanded that these entrance tests should be invalidated.
To ensure that the rights of the children to free and compulsory education under the said Act, the student body has also announced its decision of launching a mass awareness campaign along with local clubs and Meira paibis all over the State, very soon.
Addressing a press conference in this connection at its Keishampat Junction head office here today, general secretary of DESAM M Angamba pointed out that RTE Act, 2009 came into force in rest of the country with exception to Jammu & Kashmir on April 1, 2010.But in case of Manipur, the Act was enforced following a gazette notification on October 22, 2010.Prior to this the State Govt had come up with Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rule, 2000 .
All the schools in Manipur including private, Govt and Central schools are within the ambit of these Act and Rule and they should provide free and compulsory education to all children within the age group of 6-12 and no admission test or examination should be conducted for students in class I to VIII.
Moreover, the required text books, writing materials, uniform and benefit of Mid-Day Meal Scheme should be provided to them.
However, it has been noticed that all these provisions are being violated in Manipur, he claimed.
It has been found that some private and Govt schools are conducting entrance test for admission.
So, authorities concerned should invalidate such entrance tests and award necessary punishment against school authorities for violating the provisions of the Act, Angamba demanded adding that the Govt should institute a panel for protection of child rights at the earliest possible, he added.
To spread awareness among the public on the provisions of the Act, DESAM would also be launching a mass campaign soon with the support of the local clubs and Meira Paibis, Angamba informed.