Right to Education Act
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which aims to provide compulsory schooling to all children in the 6-14 age group, came into force on April 1, 2010. Section 6 of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act states that the local authority and the appropriate government shall ensure that there is a school in every neighborhood within a period of 3 years from the commencement of the Act. Section 19 of the Act states that where a school, established before the commencement of the Act, does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall do so within a period of 3 years from the commencement of the Act. This means, that by 31st March 2013:
- The local authority and the appropriate government shall ensure that there is a school in every neighborhood.
- Every school must fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule of the Act. These norms and standards include:
- Pupil Teacher Ratio norms (These vary with school type, whether primary or upper primary, and number of children enrolled);
- All-weather building;
- At least one classroom for every teacher;
- Barrier free access;
- Office-cum-store-room-cum-Head teacher’s room;
- Separate toilets for boys and girls;
- Safe and adequate drinking water facility for all children;
- Arrangements for securing the school building by boundary wall or fencing;
- Kitchen shed where mid day meal is cooked in the school;
- Library providing newspaper, magazines and books on all subjects, including story books;
- Teaching learning equipment to be provided to every class, as required;
- Play material, games and sports equipment to be provided to every class, as required
It has been clarified by the Central Government, through a guideline dated 26 October 2012, that it is not necessary to have a playground within school premises.
However, schools must provide alternative arrangements in nearby parks for children to play outdoor games and other physical activities.