Setting up private school is fundamental right of a citizen, says HC
Shibu Thomas, The Times of India, 19 April 2010

To set up a private un-aided school is the fundamental right of every citizen, the Bombay HC has ruled. "The state should encourage private investment in educational institutions on unaided basis, which the private management is entitled to pursue on condition that it would fulfil the prescribed norms and standards and not indulge in profiteering and commercialisation of education," said the bench.

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Can we afford to shut unrecognised schools?
Annu, The Financial Express, 6 April 2010

Given the magnitude of unrecognised schools in Punjab both in terms of number of schools and percentage of students, raises an important question i.e. "Can we afford to shut unrecognised schools"? Closing them can really be disastrous given the already poor educational outcomes of the state. The Act says the students of unrecognised schools will be accommodated in government schools, but we cannot put at stake the future of students who shifted to private schools due to poor quality. More [+]

Schools in web of nursery admissions
Maroosha Muzaffar , Indian Express, 16 April 2010

With the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act coming into force from April 1, city schools are mulling over criteria for nursery admissions for the next academic session. While the Act prohibits any screening procedure for admissions, city schools follow various criteria. The points system adopted in 2007 by the schools after parents challenged the earlier admission criteria — the child’s interview —is now hit by the RTE Act. More [+]

Bills moved to regulate teachers' education, amend RTE
India Edunews.net, 17 April 2010

Two bills were introduced on Friday in the Rajya Sabha to regulate the quality of teachers and amend the Right to Education (RTE) Act to make it mentally-disabled friendly. The first Bill will seek to clarify the stand of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act, 1993, on qualification of school teachers in the teacher education system. Whereas the second Bill seeks to include disabled children as disadvantaged group under the RTE. More [+]

RBI reiterates collateral-free education loans
Business Line, 13 April 2010

The Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday directed banks not to demand collateral from those seeking education loans up to Rs 4 lakh.The missive from RBI, reiterating its directive issued in 2001, comes in the wake of it receiving representations from various quarters that collateral security is being demanded even for loans up to Rs 4 lakh. More [+]

Sibal clears Arjun’s plan to monitor ‘international’ schools
Anubhuti Vishnoi, Indian Express, 13 April 2010

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal has cleared a plan, initiated by his predecessor Arjun Singh in 2008, to develop a regulatory framework for international schools in India. The proposal is aimed at bringing some kind of a framework to ‘register’ and if necessary ‘regulate’ the mushrooming of several so-called ‘International schools’. More [+]

Right To Education: A new chapter but Some questions still unanswered
Ishani Duttagupta & Lisa Mary Thomson, The Economic Times, 18 April 2010

While below-poverty-line has been clearly defined, there is a lack of clarity on the socially and economically backward segments, which have not been legally explained. If certain new income certification norms are introduced, they are likely to lead to a lot of corruption. Besides, the definition of neighbourhood is vague. More [+]

Wanted studied action
Sangeetha Neeraja, Express Buzz, 19 April 2010

Studies have shown that dropout rates peak when students are in classes III to V and that 50 per cent boys and 58 per cent girls do not complete school. Add to that the fact that 50 per cent girls never enroll in schools and the situation becomes grim.So, what are the prime reasons for children staying away from school? Inaccessibility of schools, lack of motivation, migration and poverty are few reasons discussed. More [+]

Reforming elementary education in India: A menu of options
Santosh Mehrotra, International Journal of Educational Development

ABSTRACT: This report examines key reform options: in the public spending pattern; improving teacher accountability and work environment; incentives to improve demand for schooling; and the private sector. It argues that central to universalising elementary education will be improving the level, equity and efficiency of public spending. However, even with these reforms, improving teacher accountability will still remain key to the achievement of the goals. More [+]

To initiate and continue the discussion amongst concerned groups and individuals on the issue of right of education and monitor the implementation of the RTE Act, an RTE Coalition has been formed. Join the coalition to make universal elementary education a reality in India. Log on to www.righttoeducation.in for more information.

Date:5 May 2010(6pm onwards)
Venue:Casuarina Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

For details visit website

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