RTE: Time for Government to create an environment for private schools to thrive
The Economic Times, October 27th, 2012

The recent judgment of the Supreme Court upholding the validity of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and its affirmative action in blocking 25% seats in private unaided schools has unleashed the world’s largest PPP programme. Criticisms of the Act notwithstanding, it must be said that this unlocks new opportunities for everyone who has a stake or interest in increasing access to education.

More [+]

Study Reveals Discrimination in Karnataka Schools
The Hindu, October 22nd, 2012

In what reveals the persistence of caste-based segregation of children in primary schools in rural Karnataka, around 13.7 per cent of Dalit children surveyed in the State have claimed that their teacher had asked them to sit separately from ‘higher caste’ children in the classroom, says a study released by the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Mangalore University.

More [+]

Open Schools popular with students of backward district
The Hindu, October 18th, 2012

Intermediate education in the open school system is being lapped up by students of backward districts who want to increase their employment potential as well as satiate their learning desires.

More [+]

Permanent Identification Numbers for Students in Classes 1 to 10 in Karnataka
The Hindu, October 26th, 2012

On the lines of Aadhaar number of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UDAI), the government has decided to provide permanent identification numbers to all students from class I to class X to check the dropout rate and ensure the enforcement of Right to Education (RTE) Act in all schools in the State.

More [+]

Parents prepare for screening test
Hindustan times, October 25th, 2012

For parents gearing up for this year’s nursery admission season, it is time they knew their child’s behaviour pattern thoroughly. An ideal answer must be ready for situations such as a tantrum thrown by the child or the child’s behaviour towards either parent. While the Right to Education (RTE) Act prohibits it, parents had to go through screening tests last year. This year, they are better equipped as they have already begun preparing for probable interviews.

More [+]

City’s orphans have a shot at education now
The Hindustan Times, October 18th, 2012

The Capital’s orphans are going to get a chance at education and subsequently a better life with the Delhi government notifying that such children will have an equal right as per Right to Education (RTE) Act guidelines. An orphan as defined by the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Rules is a child who is without parents or willing and capable legal or natural guardian. Such a child will have to be given admission under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category, the government notice said.

More [+]

Admission under RTE: Govt. Issues fresh guidelines
The Times of India, October 26th, 2012

Amid reports of discrimination against students admitted under RTE, the government today issued fresh guidelines prohibiting schools from announcing community, castes or tribes of students and labelling students as reserved category in classes.

More [+]

Test for Teachers kicks off Malayasia’s push for English
The Guardian, October 16th, 2012

In the same month that Malaysia committed itself to ensuring that every child will be proficient in Bahasa Malaysia and English by 2025, teachers of English were told that they must pass a test of English proficiency within two years or be moved to other roles.

More [+]

RTE Act deadline set for two years extension
The Tribune, October 24th, 2012

Far from achieving the goal of infrastructure across elementary school sector in India, the Centre is all set to extend the deadline of the ambitious Right to Education Act by two years.

More [+]

Human Rights and Public Goods; Education as a Fundamental Right in India
Research Paper No. 05-18, NYU Law School, CHRGJ Working Paper No. 6, October 26th, 2005

Based on a case study of India the authors consider the evidence of the qualitative impact that human rights discourse, and the constitutional entrenchment of economic and social rights, can have on the attainment of social goods such as education. The paper reviews the history of the amendment to the Indian Constitution in 2002 which made elevated education to the status of a "fundamental right." The paper asks whether the inclusion of a justiciable right to education for children 6 to 14 made a concrete difference. The evidence is mixed. Public debate and public interest litigation have compelled the government authorities to address some critical problems. More importantly rights discourse around education has become a focus for local political action and agitation among under-resourced and oppressed communities.

More [+]

SCHOOL CHOICE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Delivering Education: From Policy to Practice

04 December 2012
The Theatre, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India

Register Now!

Last chance to apply for ipolicy in 2012
ìpolicy for Young Leaders, St. Xaviers College, Mumbai - 8-11 November 2012
ìpolicy for Young Professionals, New Delhi - 23-25 November 2012

How to identify SEN
Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a legal term. It describes the needs of a child who has a difficulty or disability which makes learning harder for them than for other children their age. Around one in five children has SEN at some point during their school years. Some children have SEN right through their time in school. SEN covers a broad spectrum of difficulty or disability. Children may have wide-ranging or specificproblems. Eg, a child might have difficulty with one area of learning, such as letters or numbers. Or they might have problems relating to other children, or to adults. Click here to read more

Reality of Indian primary education

To watch video click here

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

Skill Vouchers - Global Experiences and Lessons for India

Leah Verghese and Parth J Shah

A study of the role that skill vouchers can play in catalysing demand for quality skill development services. This study examines global experiences with skill vouchers and draws lessons for India from these experiences.

For more click here

Reservation in Private Schools under the Right to Education Act: Model for Implementation

Shekhar Mittal and Parth J Shah

Through this document the Centre for Civil Society seeks to highlight the lacunae in the current framework for 25% reservation for weaker and disadvantaged groups in unaided private schools and seeks to provide inputs on effective implementation of the same.

For more click here

School Vouchers for Girls

400 girl children from poor families of North East Delhi receive school vouchers for a period of 4 years.
For details visit our website

For more details on how to support, log on to www.schoolchoice.in or email us at [email protected]

Please write in with your feedback at [email protected]

Disclaimer: Copyright of the contents of this newsletter remains with the original author/publisher.