RTE

THE RIGHT OF CHILDREN TO FREE & COMPULSORY EDUCATION ACT, 2009 (THE RTE ACT). Feedback

The Article 21-A in the Constitution of India is to provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which represents the consequential legislation envisaged under Article 21-A, means that every child has a right to full time elementary education of satisfactory and equitable quality in a formal school which satisfies certain essential norms and standards. The RTE Act, 2009 passed by the Parliament in 2009 and came into effect in Odisha on April 01, 2010.

The Right to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009 provides a justifiable legal framework that entitles all children between the ages of 6-14 years, free and compulsory admission, attendance and completion of elementary education. It provides for children's right to an education of equitable quality, based on principles of equity and non-discrimination. Most importantly, it provides for children's right to an education that is free from fear, stress and anxiety.

Main features of The Right to Education Act, 2009
  • Free and compulsory education to all children in the 6 to 14 age group;
  • No child shall be held back, expelled or required to pass a board examination until completion of elementary education;
  • A child above six years of age has not been admitted in any school or though admitted, could not complete his or her elementary education, then, he or she shall be admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age; Provided that where a child is directly admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age, then, he or she shall, in order to be at par with others, have a right to receive special training, in such manner and within such time limits, as may be prescribed: Provided further that a child so admitted to elementary education shall be entitled to free education till completion of elementary education even after fourteen years.
  • No child shall be denied admission in a school for lack of age proof.
  • A child who completes elementary education shall be awarded a certificate;
  • Calls for a fixed student-teacher ratio;
  • Provides for 25 percent reservation for economically & socially disadvantaged communities in admission to entry class one/pre-primary class in all private un-aided non-minority schools;
  • Mandates improvement in quality of education;
Implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 in Odisha

Odisha is one of the leading States in India to initiate the process of implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 considering it as a landmark act in the history of education. The Department of School and Mass Education, being the nodal Department to implement the Act, has taken proactive steps towards it’s grounding at all crucial levels, while reaching out to as many stakeholders as possible. SSA is the principal vehicle for the implementation of the RTE Act in the state .The RTE Act, 2009 implemented in Odisha on 1st April, 2010

Notifications/ Resolutions under Right to Education in Odisha
SlNo. Date Resolution No / Office order No Subject
1 25-11-2009 17006/W&CD Notification of chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
2 26-03-2010 5345/SME Fire Safety measures in schools
3 23-09-2010 16993/SME Prohibition of Corporal Punishment
4 27-09-2010 17291/SME Odisha Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Rules , 2010
5 20-10-2010 18758/SME Designate the Director Teacher education & State Council of Educational Research & training ( TE & SCERT) as the Academic Authority
6 04-11-2010 19799/SME Discontinue Board Examination at Elementary education
7 04-11-2010 19806/SME Prohibit Screening Procedure
8 18-12-2010 22655/SME Procedure for admission in schools under section 13(1) & section 12(1) of the Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act , 2009
9 17-01-2011 1266/SME Declaration of Free Text Book, Uniform, transport & residential facilities
10 21-09-2011 18614/SME Declare the Director , Elementary education as the competent Authority (Authorized officer) to sanction prosecution for the offences under section-13(2),18(5) & 19(5)
11 02-04-2012 8635/SME Conducting Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for appointing teachers in class-I to VIII
12 04-06-2012 14302/SME Guidelines for Teacher Eligibility Test(TET)
13 05-07-2012 16624/SME Guidelines for reimbursement of per child expenditure in favour of unaided & specified category schools for admission of children belonging to weaker section & disadvantaged group.
14 05-10-2012 25463/SME Grievance Redressal
15 10-01-2013 1160/SME Engagement of Part time Instructors in Upper Primary schools
16 21-01-2013 2085/SME Corrigendum to qualification of Art Education Teacher
17 18-05-2013 11940/SME Reorganization of S & ME Deptt
18 06-07-2013 15602/SME Reorganization of S & ME Deptt
19 22-08-2013 19917/SME Elementary Education shall mean the education from first class to eight class
20 26-09-2013 14219/SME Opening of Primary & Upper Primary schools
21 26-09-2013 22550/SME Regarding procedure for admission for disadvantaged group
22 29-11-2013 27419/SME Amendment to ORCFE,2010
23 31-03-2014 6939/SME Provision of age appropriate admission & Special training facility to those children
24 20-05-2014 5831/SME Procedure for admission against 25% reservation in Private schools under RTE Act.
25 30-05-2014 4355/OPEPA Enhancing quality in schools
26 10-07-2014 14942/SME State Advisory Council
27 30-07-2014 16485/SME Guidelines on composition & function of School Management Committee
28 31-07-2014 16550/SME Function of the Local Authorities at different levels
29 14-08-2014 17662/SME Functionality & maintenance of sanitation & hygiene facility in school as priority.
30 21-08-2014 18399/SME Calendar of Academic Activities ( Working day & working hours)
31 05-09-2014 19952/SME Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation
32 24-12-2014 11377/SME Guidelines under section 35(1) of the RCFCE Act 2009 for implementation of clause © of sections 8 & 9 of the RTE Act
33 30-12-2014 11528/SME Child Protection Rule
34 28/01/2016 2100/SME Notification for Grievance Redressal Committee for Teachers under RTE
35 11/04/2016 6988/SME Provision to provide support for transport / escort facilities for children.
36 30/08/2016 8684/OPEPA Provision of Free & Compulsory Education for all children (6-14 years) under RTE Act 2009.
37 19/09/2016 9317/SMEA Guideline for admission in Private Unaided & specific Category Schools against 25% quota under RTE Act 2009.
38 26/03/2015 6371/SME Proceeding of 1st State Advisory Council (SAC) meeting under the R.C.F.C.E Act 2009 held on 10.03.2015.
39 20/04/2016 4060/OPEPA Proceeding of 2nd State Advisory Council (SAC) meeting under the R.C.F.C.E Act 2009 held on 03.12.2015.
40 14/12/2016 12116/OPEPA Proceeding of 3rd State Advisory Council (SAC) meeting under the R.C.F.C.E Act 2009 held on 21.11.2016.
41 21/02/2017 2944/SME Declaration of Competent Authority under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
42 21/02/2017 2950/SME Permission to open a school.
43 21/02/2017 2956/SME Issue of Certificate of recognition to schools under section 18 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
44 27/06/2017 11360/SME Notification on "child belonging to disadvantage group"
45 31/08/2017 16316/SME Guidelines regarding functioning of the State Advisory Council constituted /to be constituted under the RCFCE Act 2009
46 05/ 01/2018 357/SME District Education Officer of each district are hereby declared as the Nodal Officer for the implementation of School Safety Policy at field level.
47 28/03/2018 262/OSDMA Compliance of Apex Court order on School Safty & Implementation of School Safty Policy 2016 guidelines issued by NDMA.
48 20/02/2018 3756/SME Plan of Action for the School Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) / School Safty Plan (SSP) including checklist for school safty policy as per the NDMA guidelines.
49 20/02/2018 3766/SME Revised Guidelines on Composition and Function of School Management Committee.
50 08/03/2019 5796/SME Notification on Learning Outcomes 
51 08/03/2019 5707/SME Notification on formation of Children School Bag Policy

© OSEPA. All rights reserved.This website belongs to OSEPA, Government of Odisha. Site designed, developed and hosted by NIC (National Informatics Centre.) Contents published on various links on this Website are being managed and maintained by OSEPA, Government of Odisha. For any content related query on this website, please contact concerned department.