Sheeja Moodubelle
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
 
Udupi, May 9: The right of children for Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 was reviewed in the Udupi jurisdiction in a district level management meet, here at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sabhabavana, Rajathatri, Manipal.

Katapadi Shankar Poojari, president of Zilla Panchayath Udupi, inaugurated the function. The main agenda for discussion was the rights of children to free and compulsory education by the RTE Act and its success in Udupi. The Act was implemented in the district in April 1, 2010. It provides free and compulsory education to all children of the age group of six to fourteen years.

As per the Act, all aided and private schools should provide 25% seat to the poor and needy. The fees will be provided by the government in two installments. The poor students would get the benefits of this facility through BEO. Every school should have teacher with B A, B Ed, or B Sc degree to teach above seventh standard. All the schools should be at a walk-able distance for children. The government provides Rs 36-40 crores for this purpose.

The programme was a joint venture by block educational officers, aided and unaided schools, minority institutions and private institutions. All government schools have been included in Udupi under this Act. The aim of this mission is to secure 100% basic education for children.

This act will help pave the way to a successful and productive future for many children who do not get the opportunity to study. Every child in the age group of 6-14 years will be provided 8 years of elementary education in an age appropriate classroom in the vicinity of his/her neighbourhood for free.

It is a proud moment for the district because it has successfully implemented this act with success, said Poojari. Mahabaleshwara Rao, Devaraj Shettigar, Mallika Balakrishna and Gopi Nayak among others were present for the occasion.