Amendments in RTE Act

 Consequent upon examination of Representations received from organizations working for the welfare of the children with disabilities and minority institutions, a decision was taken to carry out certain amendments to the Right of Children to Free and compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. Accordingly, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 16th April, 2010 incorporating the following amendments to the RTE Act.

i. Inclusion of children with disabilities in the definition of ‘child belonging to disadvantaged group’ in clause (d) of section 2 of the RTE Act.

ii. To provide that children with disabilities, including children with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism and multiple disabilities shall have the right to pursue free and compulsory education in accordance with Chapter V of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.”

iii. To provide that School Management Committee (SMC) of an aided minority school constituted under section 21 of the RTE Act shall function in an advisory capacity and further that the SMC of an aided minority school constituted under section 21 will not be required to prepare the School Development Plan under section 22 of the Act.