The debate on Right to Education(RTE) Act has begun again with the Centre on Thursday remaining firm on implementing it without any dilution and insisting on 25% inclusion of underprivileged children by private schools. Though implemented in 2009, Karnataka is among many states yet to notify the rules for implementation.
The Times of India spoke to primary and secondary education minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri to get a status report on the act that is aimed at sending every child to school.
Excerpts :
What is the status of the RTE act in Karnataka?
The law department scrutinized the draft rules and suggested some minor changes. We are incorporating these changes. It will go to the cabinet soon for approval, and will then be sent for notification. I cannot give a date as of now,butcan assure youthatitwillbe at theearliest.
When other states could implement it, why the delay?
Tell me, how many states have implementedit ?Twoor three, not more.It requires some time to process and get thingsset.We received 2,000objections, and all of them have been carefully scrutinized.
Funds have been the bone of contention between the Centre and the state in implementing the RTE?Any consensus?
We are discussing it with the Centre, but officials there are not at all clear on the issue. They have said that states should generate funds. All the states have made it clear that we need central support. We need crores of rupees to implementtheAct.
How much have you set apart in the state budget?
Wehaven'tfigureditout yet.
What about other preparations?
We have taken up awareness programmes in a big way. A series of events have been planned to involve school development and monitoring committee members, teachers, alumni, parents and officials to spread awareness about RTE. There are organisations involved at all levels. Gram panchayats had come out with a white paper on their preparedness to implementthelawduring the ShalegagiN aavu Neevu programme. Most of them have executed the main points, like identifying infrastructuresolutions.
The Times of India spoke to primary and secondary education minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri to get a status report on the act that is aimed at sending every child to school.
Excerpts :
What is the status of the RTE act in Karnataka?
The law department scrutinized the draft rules and suggested some minor changes. We are incorporating these changes. It will go to the cabinet soon for approval, and will then be sent for notification. I cannot give a date as of now,butcan assure youthatitwillbe at theearliest.
When other states could implement it, why the delay?
Tell me, how many states have implementedit ?Twoor three, not more.It requires some time to process and get thingsset.We received 2,000objections, and all of them have been carefully scrutinized.
Funds have been the bone of contention between the Centre and the state in implementing the RTE?Any consensus?
We are discussing it with the Centre, but officials there are not at all clear on the issue. They have said that states should generate funds. All the states have made it clear that we need central support. We need crores of rupees to implementtheAct.
How much have you set apart in the state budget?
Wehaven'tfigureditout yet.
What about other preparations?
We have taken up awareness programmes in a big way. A series of events have been planned to involve school development and monitoring committee members, teachers, alumni, parents and officials to spread awareness about RTE. There are organisations involved at all levels. Gram panchayats had come out with a white paper on their preparedness to implementthelawduring the ShalegagiN aavu Neevu programme. Most of them have executed the main points, like identifying infrastructuresolutions.
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