Comparison of State Rules
This session aims to present an overview and analysis of and comparison between the various final and
draft state rules under the RTE Act. An understanding of the state rules is essential since the manner in
which states implement the RTE Act will determine whether the Act will have the envisaged impact. The
nuances of the state rules will determine to a large extent how this implementation will take place. As of
now only two states have come out with their final rules. Most other states are in the process of drafting
their rules.
Monitoring of RTE in Government and Private Schools
The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has been entrusted with the
responsibility of monitoring the RTE Act at the Central level. However, most states are yet to form their
State Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights and the monitoring structures at lower levels are even
hazier. This session presents the monitoring processes and structures put in place by NCPCR along with an
outline of the people and hierarchies involved. The monitoring of the RTE Act is an enormous challenge in a
large and diverse country like India. This monitoring will necessarily encompass private schools whose
admission (including admission under 25% reservation) and examination processes require close scrutiny.
Impact of RTE on Alternative Education
Although the RTE Act has been widely discussed and debated, not much attention has been paid to the
impact of RTE Act on alternative education. Currently the schooling system in India covers various
providers of alternative education like National Institute of Open Schooling, NGOs, providers of bridge
courses, etc. who will all be impacted by the RTE Act, mostly negatively. It is necessary to incorporate these
stakeholders as well into the discourse on RTE Act in order to ensure that the legislation does not give with
one hand and take away with another