In 2018, just over 50 per cent of
class 5 children could read a class 2-
level text meant for seven- to eight-
year-olds. This is a decline from 2008,
when over 56 per cent of class 5 stu-
dents could read a class 2 text book.
The results for arithmetic ability, too,
look disappointing, with just 28 per
cent of class 5 students able to do divi-
sion, compared to 37 per cent in 2008.
According to ASER, learning outcomes
suffered because of a push towards uni-
versalization following the implemen-
tation of the RTE Act. It added that the
change has been “slow and uncertain.”
An inclusive school system has been
another grave challenge that the law
has been unable to address. “A major
failing is the lack of specific provisions
for children that most need access
to education—the girl child, the SC/
ST communities and minority com-
munities. Lack of focus on specific
communities means that there aren’t
provisions to take care of their indi-
vidual needs,” says Ranjana Kumari,
director of the New Delhi-based Cen-
tre for Social Research, an advocacy
group for women. She points out that
the 25 per cent reservation of seats in
private schools “does not tackle the
issues around integration and provi-
sion of extra help to these students.”middle and lower income
schools are most compliant
with the RTE provision of
25 per cent reservation for
underprivileged children. But
they are not getting their
reimbursements from the
government on time, which in
turn, discourages compliance.
The government should come up
with an online system of quick
grievance redressal. There has to
be proper checks and balances. I
would say the RTE is about choice.
But in our country underprivileged
people do not have many choices.
And if there are no choices, then
there are no equal opportunities.Three Salient Features
Of The RTE Act
Q The right of children to free and
compulsory education until completion
of elementary education in a
neighbourhood school.QAt the primary level, the student to
teacher ratio should be maintained at
30:1, and 35:1 the upper primary level.QIt prohibits physical punishment,
mental harassment and screening
procedures for the admission of
children; capitation fee, private tuition
by teachers and running of schools
without recognition.National Interestreadersdigest.co.in 73