2011

A survey on implementation of RTE Act 2009

A status of the educational scenario in schools on December 2010, after enactment of The Right of the children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 in April 2010.

Conducted by
STATE EDUCATION CHAPTER-RIGHT TRACK In association with

ACTION AID

INTRODUCTION Right Track is a Non Governmental Organization working in the western fringes of Kolkata, West Bengal with different Kolkata Municipal Corporation wards and all 35 Maheshtala Municipality wards. Since 1991 Right Track is working for Children and women of most distress situation with the vision of stabling a society free from all forms of deprivation and discrimination. Right Track is working forward with its core objectives of ensuring basic services on Education, Health & environment and entitlements for holistic & sustainable development. We also focus on capacitate the disadvantaged section of the society regarding their social, political, economical and cultural predicament in collaboration with Action Aid, Goal, Save the Children and others. To strengthen our work and ensuring Child Rights since 2007 Right Track is hosting State Education Chapter (SEC), which is a State level coalition of like minded NGOs and other Networks along with Action aid. The chapter is spread across the districts of South 24 parganas, North 24 parganas, Howrah, Purulia, East Medinipur, Murshidabad, Maldah, Uttar Dinajpur, Darjeeling & Coochbihar. As a part of campaign, SEC is built on Rights Based Approach in Education with the vision to ensure relevancy, pluralistic, quality education and quality teaching with the availability of safe drinking water, school building in villages & urban slums, enough trained teacher, free text book and uniforms, appropriate sanitation facility, proper implementation of Mid day meal scheme and transport services as well as to ensure that there is no child labour, no gender discrimination, no disability discrimination, inclusion of most marginalized section with reachable distance. As we all know that battle for education stated from the year 1911 and finally after the long struggles in the year 2009 The Right of the children to free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 is in place on 26th August, 2010. This law has come into enforcement since 1st April 2010. As Right to Education is now a fundamental right, it is now mandatory on the part of Government to provide what is demanded in this Act. As State Education Chapters mission is to ensure right to education for all children an initiative has been taken to retrospective the status of the educational scenario in schools. Objectives:To get an overview of the situation of education in Government and Government aided schools after eight months of enactment of this act an initiative has been taken. Currently three sections have been concentrated i.e. School Infrastructure including toilet facilities, safe drinking water facility, classrooms, school boundary and gate, playground and kitchen shed; quality of education including maintaining teacher student ratio (1:30), provision of Mid Day Meal and using Teaching Learning Materials and lastly status of formation of School Management Committees and fees taken.

Sample School Study: a) To get an account of the present scenario of the schools in the above mentioned issues. b) Finding the status of implementation of The Right of the children to free and compulsory Education Act 2009. c) Obtaining evidence of the condition of the sample surveyed schools. Peoples Conclave: a) To highlight the denial faced by the children in schools even after enactment of RTE 2009 in April 2010. b) Present participants including students and guardians will understand the Redressal system. c) The Peoples Conclave will be a useful tool that will help to identify the problem and further pressurize Government to provide proper infrastructure, universalize Mid Day meal and ensure quality education in all schools. As a whole this will motivate students and their parents for education. d) All the present panel members will understand the circumstances of education and find Redressal measures. Finally, a documentation including both findings of some schools through school survey and case studies will be prepared and submitted to NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights). The report will be also shared with the network partners, appropriate departments and representatives of SCPCR (State Commission for Protection of Child Rights) with relevant documents. Methodology:-

A sample survey has been carried out in schools from different SSA circles and all 60 schools under Maheshtala West Circle. A public hearing has been organized with presentation from Guardians and students of different places and different schools, who had presented their live testimonials on the issues of School infrastructure, Quality of Education, fees & Monitoring.

FINDINGS A total 82 schools were surveyed from different SSA Circles, so that an idea can be generated on the present situation of education in the schools of West Bengal. The information gathered from the respondents is present below. 70 schools which were surveyed are from Bengali Medium, 5 are from Hindi and Urdu respectively (refer to chart 1). No response given by 2 schools. Please note that in some cases the missing figures refers to the unavailable information from the cases where no response has been received.

Chart 1: Medium

The sections have been analyzed on the basis of three major issues i.e. a) School infrastructure, b) Quality of Education & c) Monitoring. Some case studies have also been provided to understand the situation better.

1. School Infrastructure Building Chart 2 defines that out of 82 schools surveyed 58 schools are from DPSC, 7 schools are from SSK, 6 schools are from KMC, 3 are from MSK, 2 are from WBBSC and 2 from GSHP. 4 schools did not responded.

Chart 2:TypeofSchool

According to the respondents {see Chart3(a)} 90% (52 schools) of the DPSC schools have their own building, 3% (2 schools) are in rented premises, 1 (2%) school is running in ports encroached building and rest 3 (5%) schools have other types of building.

69 schools reported that they have own school building where as rest 6 schools are running in rented premises. 3 schools are running in free premises, 1 in the encroached building of Port Trust and 1 belongs to the other category (refer to chart 3). No information had been gathered from 2 schools.

Whereas from the survey it is clearly pointed out that 83% of the KMC schools have their own premises where as rest buildings are on rental basis.

The condition of the SSK (chart-3(c)) schools is very meager as only 72% have their own building and rest 14% are running in rented building and free premises respectively, although 3 schools surveyed under MSK reported of having their own school building. Schools surveyed under WBBSC and GSHP stated of having 1 building that is provided for free and 1 school reported of running the school in rented premises respectively.

74 % of the DPSC schools, 83% of KMC schools, 57% of the SSK schools, 67 % of the MSK schools and 50% of the WBBSC schools reported of having good school building. According to the respondent 12% DPSC schools, 14% SSK schools and 33 % MSK schools informed of having satisfactory condition of the schools whereas 14 % of DPSC School, 17% of KMC schools, 29% of SSK, 50% of WBBSC and cent percent of GSHP schools reported of having unsatisfactory school building. (refer to Chart 4 (a) )

Out of the total schools surveyed 55 schools responded that their school buildings are in good condition. 11 schools reported that the condition of their school building is satisfactory. One of them also mentioned that their school building needs renovation; where as 15 schools showed their unsatisfactory school building. No information found from 1 school

Most of the respondent shared that either their classes are not ready or the building is under construction. Even some of the school buildings are made up of semi kaccha structure with bamboos and tiles, no place for walking in the corridor, no provisions for electricity in the school and roof are broken which is hindering classes especially during rainy season.

Toilet facility water facility in the school. Rest of them either has no usable toilet or manages in open space. Sometimes even students are even asked to leave for their home. The condition of the toilet facilities under KMC schools and GSHP schools are awful as 50 % of these schools have unusable toilet in comparison to DPSC, SSK & MSK schools as they have 38%, 29% and 33% correspondingly. Again schools surveyed under WBBSC reported of having separate toilets. 1 school of SSK informed of having common schools and 1 school of DPSC has no toilet.

50 schools have separate toilets where as 30 schools responded that they have unusable toilets. Also 1 school reported of not having any toilet and 1 mentioned of having common toilet. Only 60 % schools have

Drinking Water Facility 72% schools reported of having safe drinking water facility in the schools whereas 14% schools have no such option. Even 35 schools have inadequate drinking water and 10% have unsafe water facility. 3 schools didnt responded.

Play Ground paying materials. Situation of the GSHP schools are more vulnerable as the two schools survey reported of not having any provisions for children to play in the school. Comparison to that situation of DPSC schools are better as only 46 % i.e. only 26 schools out of 56 described of not having

Most of the schools have playground. 71 % of the SSK schools have no play ground or

any playground or playing materials for students in the school. No response given by 2 schools.
Details Yes No Total DPSC 30 26 56

Table:1

KMC 2 4 6

SSK 2 5 7

MSK 1 2 3

WBBSC 1 1 2

GSHP 0 2 2

Boundary Wall and School Gate 52 schools surveyed have boundary wall. 39 schools of DPSC, 5 schools of KMC, 3 schools of SSK, 2 schools of MSK and 1 school of WBBSC have boundary wall in their schools. No schools under GSHP have boundary wall. 60 schools reported of having School Gate out of which 45 schools of DPSC, 5 schools of KMC, 4 schools of SSK, 2 schools of MSK and 1 school of WBBSC have School Gate, g) Number of Classes although in schools of GSHP surveyed have School Gate. 1 school did not respond.

2. Quality of Education Teacher Student ratio According to Right of the children to free and Compulsory Act 2009, all Government and Government aided schools have to maintain Teacher Student ratio by 30:1 for ensuring quality of education with six months from commencing the act. Unfortunately the schools survey fails to maintain Teachers ratio (refer to chart9). Only 15 schools out of 82 schools survey have maintained Teacher Student ratio. Circumstances of MSK and WBBSC are shocking as no schools surveyed are maintaining the ratio. Just 14 % schools of

DPSC, 33% schools of KMC, 57 % schools of SSK and 50% schools of GSHP surveyed are

maintaining

the

ratio.

Teaching Learning Materials used

Almost all the schools use Teaching Learning material (Charts, cards, etc) for teaching the students. 94 % schools replied Yes to the query whereas only 4% said No, rest 2 % schools did not response to this query. No more than 2 schools of DPSC and 1 school of KMC retorted of not using Teaching Learning Materials in classes.

Books Provided 64 schools mentioned that they provide all books to the students while 15 schools provide some of the books and rest students have to purchase of their own. Unexpectedly 2 schools reveal that they do not provide any books to the students and the students are responsible for managing

their text book. No response given by 1 school.

Mid day meal detention in schools. In the year 2001 Supreme Court of India ordered to universalize Mid Day Meal scheme for all children. Also recent enacted Right of the children to Free and Compulsory Act 2009,
Details Functional DPSC 27 31 58 KMC 5 1 6 SSK 2 5 7 MSK 1 2 3 WBBSC 1 1 2 GSHP 1 1 2

In the year 1995 Mid Day Meal Program Non Functional has been undertaken by Government of Total India to ensure quality of education and also increase rate of enrollment and

mentioned of providing Mid Day Meal in schools. After so many years still only 39 schools from 82 schools responded of supplying Mid Day Meal in regular basis 53 % of DPSC schools, 17% of KMC schools, 71 % of

SSK schools, 67 % of MSK schools and 50 % of WBBSC & GSHP schools provide Mid day meal. Table 2

3. School Monitoring

School Management Committee

According to Right of the children to Free and Compulsory Act 2009, every Government and Government Aided schools must have School Development Committee consisting of 2/3rd portion of parents & 50% of women members, teachers and local representatives. The committee will be responsible for monitoring, developing school development plan and budget tracking of the respective schools. Merely 13 % school replied of having school Management Committee in their schools although some schools mentioned of having 4. Others

School Development Committee but very few out of them are active. 2 schools denied to response.

Fees taken Right of the children to Free and Compulsory education Act 2009, after the enactment of the Act in the month of April 2010 no child will be forced to pay any fees or charges during admission which can hinder his/ her education. Regrettably only 16 schools answered of not taking any fees after April 2010 rest 66 schools receive fees or charges in forms of admission, donation, development fees, electricity charges, sweeper charges even for festival contribution (chanda).

Health Services

77 % of the schools do not provide any health facilities. Only 18 % schools afford health facilities for students but that too on annual basis, rest 5 % schools didnt responded. 4 schools did not reply to the query.

CASE STUDIES The following case studies are presented by the guardians and students of different schools under SSA circles on 29th December 2010 at Rotary Sadan. The detail cases with their denial are mentioned below: 1. Name of the child: Asif Anwar

Narrator: Halima Begum (Guardian)

Address: Belgachia

My child is in Niharia Day GSFP School (83/E, Belgachia Road, Kol- 37) in class IV. During admission I paid Rs. 200.00 (Two Hundred) only in the month of April 2010 and have to purchase some books & School uniform. The infrastructure of the school is very poor. The building is made up of tiles and bamboo sheds. There is no drinking water facility in the school and the toilets are also unusable. The quality of Mid Day Meal is very poor although it is provided six days in a week. No health check up facility is given. Moreover, the area has approximately 10,000 children eligible for High School although there is only one high school. This is creating hindrances for accessing higher education. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Whereas, Asif has been demanded by the school authority to pay Rs. 200.00 during admission after commencement of the Act along with purchase of some books & School uniform. 2. Chapter III-8(d)- provide infrastructure including school building, teaching staff and learning equipments. Although, the infrastructure of the school as stated by narrator is very poor. The building is made up of tiles and bamboo.

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3. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. No provision for drinking water and toilet are unusable 2. Name of the child: Rafiuddin Ansari & Ayesha Khatoon Narrator: Asgari Begum (Guardian)

Two of my children are studying in Government school. My son is studying in Belgachia Urdu High school (Co-Ed) in class VI. My daughter is studying in class IV at Mohamadia GSHP School. In the month of April 2010, while admission I had to pay Rs. 600.00 (Six Hundred) and Rs. 200.00 (Two Hundred) without bill respectively and bear other costs like uniform and some books. Condition of Mohamadia GSHP School, 1/5, J.K. Road, kol-37, is very meager as there is no separate class room for all classes. Classes are conducted in a single hall which is not even separated by boundary wall. In Belgachia Urdu High school (Co-Ed), 1/2/4 JK Ghosh Road, Kol- 37, the student teacher ratio is bad. There are 1800 students and 20 teachers including Para teachers. My son has to give screening test to get admission. There is no facility for drinking water and toilet. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): Mohamadia GSHP School, 1/5, J.K. Road, kol-37 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Ayesha has been forced to pay Rs. 200.00 during admission after commencement of the Act. Also no books and uniform is provided to her. 2. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. No separate room for each class, as a result children face problem to understand their lessons properly. Belgachia Urdu High school (Co-Ed), 1/2/4 JK Ghosh Road, Kol- 37

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1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Raffiuddin has been forced to pay Rs. 800.00 during admission after commencement of the Act. Also he has to bear the cost for books and uniform. 2. Chapter IV- 13 (1)- No school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and subject the child or his or her guardian to any screening procedure. Raffiuddin has to appear for screening test before getting admission. 3. Chapter IV- 25(1) within six months of commencement of this Act, the appropriate Government and the local authority shall ensure the Pupil- Teacher Ratio, as specified in the schedule, is maintained in each school. Teacher student ratio is not properly maintained even after eight months of enactment of the RTE 2009. 4. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. No facility for drinking water and toilet 3. Name of the child: Khusbu Khatoon Narrator: self

I got my admission in class VII in the month of May 2010 with Rs. 200.00 (Two Hundred) only in Sarbodaya Hindi Primary School, Akra. In our school we do not have any toilet facility. We face lots of problem. Even there is no provision for drinking water. Even girls are not allowed to play as there are no such playing materials available for us. We are often punished by our teachers. During admission we were asked to buy books from outside and consoled that the amount will be reimbursed soon sadly we were only offered a meager amount and our parents had to bear the cost. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Whereas, Khusbu has been forced to pay Rs. 200.00 during admission after commencement of the Act. Also the entire amount spends by her for purchasing the books have not been entirely reimbursed by the school authorities. 12

2. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. No provision for drinking water, toilet and playground especially for girls. 3. Chapter IV- 17(1) no child shall be subjected to physical punishment and mental harassment. Her teacher repeatedly punished her. 4. Name of the child: Munna Kumar Shaw Narrator: Self

I study in Shramik Vidyalaya, 16, Coal Dock Sarani, Kol-43 in class VI. I got admitted in the month of April 2010 with Rs. 480.00 (Four Hundred and eighty) only. Teachers come very late in school. There is no drinking water facility and separate toilet even Mid Day Meal is not provided. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Munna paid Rs. 480.00 during admission after commencement of the Act. 2. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. No provision for drinking water, separate toilet and Mid Day Meal. 5. Name of the child: Sudha Kumari Narrator: self

I wanted to get admitted in K.C. Mill High School in the month of May but I have to sit for screening test and denied from admission. Then I get my admission in class V in Sarbodaya Hindi Primary School for Rs. 200.00. They demanded my Birth Certificate before admitting me in school. In Sarbodaya there is no facility for toilet or drinking water. Also there are only few teachers and most of the time we cannot understand the subject. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009):

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1. Chapter IV- 13 (1)- No school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and
subject the child or his or her guardian to any screening procedure. Sudha has been denied from admission after appearing in screening test.

2. Chapter IV- 14(1)- No child shall be denied admission in a school for lack of age proof.
Sarbodaya has demanded Birth Certificate.

3. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may
prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Whereas, she has been forced to pay Rs. 200.00 during admission after commencement of the Act. Also the entire amount spends by her for purchasing the books have not been entirely reimbursed by the school authorities.

4. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the
norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. No provision for drinking water and toilet.

5. Chapter IV- 25(1) within six months of commencement of this Act, the appropriate Government
and the local authority shall ensure the Pupil- Teacher Ratio, as specified in the schedule, is maintained in each school. Sudha stated that that there are a very few teachers in her school which is resulting in crisis for the children to understand their lessons properly and finally leading to denial of quality education. 6. Name of the child: Banti Sultana Narrator: self

I study in Satghara FP School. During my admission school demanded Rs. 250.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty) only. I paid the amount but many children could not afford the amount as a result with the help of Maheshtala Naba Jagaran Mancha did School agitation for high admission fees. As a result schools were forced to reduce the amount and some of them were charged Rs. 75/- (Seventy Five) only. Later, these children were derived out of the school. Schools have also taken out facilities of fan and electricity. We are 132 children in one class as a result who sits in last brench could not hear any lessons. There is no separate toilet and only 2 taps for 500 children.

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Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Children were forced to pay Rs. 250.00 during admission after commencement of the Act. 2. Chapter IV- 16- no child admitted in a school shall be held back in any class or expelled from school till the completion of elementary education. As stated by Banti school derives out those children within the session who have paid fewer amounts of admission fees. 3. Chapter IV- 25(1) within six months of commencement of this Act, the appropriate Government and the local authority shall ensure the Pupil- Teacher Ratio, as specified in the schedule, is maintained in each school. Teacher student ratio is not properly maintained. 4. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. No provision for adequate drinking water and separate toilet. 7. Name of the child: Pinki Khatoon Narrator: self

We have to pay very high school fees for getting admission. School also withheld the results of students who are unable to provide entire fees demanded by the school authorities. From the last three months Mid Day Meal is provided to us. Number of students is also more in comparison to teachers as a result many a time we fail to understand the studies. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Children were forced to pay admission fees after commencement of the Act.

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2. Chapter IV- 25(1) within six months of commencement of this Act, the appropriate Government and the local authority shall ensure the Pupil- Teacher Ratio, as specified in the schedule, is maintained in each school. Teacher student ratio is not properly maintained. 8. Name of the child: Rozina Khatoon Narrator: self

My name is Rozina Khatoon. I reside at Solobigha and studying in Kankhuli Girls in Class VIII. During admission I have to pay Rs. 550.00 (Five Hundred and fifty) only. Rooms in our schools are very small in size. In one class we are 95 students and the situation is so bad that most of us cannot sit properly. Play is also very small so we are unable to play. We are even not provided any Mid Day Meal in school sometimes dry rice is provided to us. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Children were forced to pay admission fees. 2. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. Lack of proper classrooms, no provision for playground and kitchen. 9. Name of the child: Sahnaz Khatoon Narrator: self

I am studying in class V (B) in Panchur High School. During admission I paid Rs. 400.00 (Four hundred) only. Again, who cannot give admission fees has to sit on the floor. We have to buy books for an amount of Rs. 500.00 only from outside and even the cost is not reimbursed by the school authorities. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education.

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Sahnaz paid Rs. 400.00 during admission and other expenses like books and uniform. 2. Chapter IV- 17(1) no child shall be subjected to physical punishment and mental harassment. Children who fail to pay the amount demanded to them by school authority are forced to sit on floor which is mental harassment to these children. 10. Name of the child: Anifa Khatoon Narrator: Marium Bibi

My daughter is studying in Akra High Madrasa FP School. We have to bear the cost of electrical charges and sweeper charges. Moreover we have to purchase the books but school did not compensate the exact account. Two- three months after school provide 1 Kg of rice to each student. There are approx. There are 95 children in my daughters class. Sometimes students are brutally beaten up by teachers. Even once my daughter is so mercilessly beaten that I have to do CT scan. No guardian meeting is conducted in the school. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Children have to pay sweeping cost and electrical charges. Again bear the cost of books. 2. Chapter IV- 17(1) no child shall be subjected to physical punishment and mental harassment. Children are brutally beaten up by teachers. Once Anifa has to go for CT scan for being beaten up. Chapter IV-21 (1) - A school shall constitute a School Management Committee consisting of elected representatives of the local authority, parents or guardians of children admitted in such school and teachers. And Chapter IV-24 (1e) hold regular meetings with parents and guardians and appraise them about the regularity in attendance, ability to learn, progress made in learning and any relevant information about the child Till date no such committee has been formed. Also no teachers- parents meetings are conducted. 11. Name of the child: Ramesh Pandey Narrator: self

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I am studying in Gandhi Vidyalaya. We have to pay admission fees and donation while getting admission. There is no electricity in our school. The condition of the school building is also damaged. There is only one common toilet and no drinking water facility. Even we are not provided any books. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009):

1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may
prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Ramesh has been forced to pay during admission, donation charges including electrical charges. Also he has to pay the entire amount for purchasing the books.

2. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the
norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. Pitiable building condition, no provision for toilet or adequate drinking water. 12. Name of the child: Sony Khatoon Narrator: Amit Kumar Prasad

My neighbors daughter is studying in Gandhi Vidyalaya. The condition of the school is very bad. There is no electricity. Children have to suffer a lot during summer season. No guardian meeting is conducted. Te quality of education is also very poor. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009):

1. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the
norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. Poor building condition.

2. Chapter IV-21 (1) - A school shall constitute a School Management Committee consisting of elected
representatives of the local authority, parents or guardians of children admitted in such school and teachers. And Chapter IV-24 (1e) hold regular meetings with parents and guardians and appraise them about the regularity in attendance, ability to learn, progress made in learning and any relevant information about the child

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Till date no such committee has been formed. Even no provisions have been yet taken. Also no teachers- parents meetings are conducted. 13. Name of the child: Salma Khatoon Narrator: Sufia Bibi.

My daughter is studying in class VII in Akra Senior Madrasa. During admission I have to pay Rs. 300.00 (Three Hundred) only. I cannot afford to buy books. My family income is very low I am really worried whether I can continue my daughters education further. My daughter is punished on regularly. No Mid Day Meal is provided to any student after V. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Salma paid Rs. 300.00 during admission and other expenses like books and uniform. Her educational costs are becoming burden for her family which may further act as obstacle for continuing her education. 2. Chapter IV- 17(1) no child shall be subjected to physical punishment and mental harassment. She is regularly punished which is demotivating her and her parents. 14. Name of the child: Imtiaz Khan Narrator: self

I am studying in Satghara FP School, Amlitala, ward-8, in morning school. I was demanded Rs. 250.00 (Two Hundred and fifty) only. When my father could not afford it teacher scold him very badly. No books and Mid Day Meal is provided. The quality of education is also very poor. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. School authority demand admission fees and if some of the parents are unable to meet their demand they are misbehaved by them. 2. ChapterIII-8 (g)- ensure good quality elementary education conforming to the standards and norms in the schedule

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Imtiaz showed grievance on the quality of education Satghara FP School is providing. 15. Name of the child: Narrator: Akhiza Begum (Guardian)

My daughter used to study in Subhash Vidyamandir, 247/4, Maniktala Main Road, Kol-54 but she was forced to discontinue her education due to severe punishment and rough languages. My neighbors children are still beaten up mercilessly. Behavior of teachers is also very rude. In the school there is common toilet facility. That too remains very dirty. Children are unable to use them. I was asked to clean the toilets, sweeping the classrooms and washing utensils only for Rs. 100.00 on monthly basis. I did it for one whole year but after that when I asked to increase my salary they denied. As a result I discontinued. Now children even studying in Class I am forced to do all these activities (sweeping classrooms, toilets & washing utensils). Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. Chapter IV- 17(1) no child shall be subjected to physical punishment and mental harassment. She is forced to discontinue her education due to severe punishment and extremely rough behavior of the teachers. Again forcing the children to clean and sweep is a mental harassment to them. 16. Name of the child: Sk. Rizu Narrator: Self

I study in Santoshpur High Madrasa. In this session admission started in the month of March 2010 and I paid Rs. 300.00 (Three Hundred) only. I had to purchase 8 books out of 14 books. There is no drinking water facility in school. The toilets are used by the teachers and no student is allowed to use them. Once I was severely beaten up by duster which resulted into head injury. No Mid Day Meal is provided in our school. Rights violated as per The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE 2009): 1. ChapterII-3 (2) - no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her pursuing and completing the elementary education. Sk. Rizu has to pay Rs. 300.00 for admission in the month of March and bear the cost of some books. 2. Chapter IV- 17(1) no child shall be subjected to physical punishment and mental harassment.

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He is also beaten up by the teachers resulting into head injury. 3. Chapter IV- 19(2) where a school established before the commencement of this Act does not fulfill the norms and standards specified in the schedule, it shall take steps to fulfill such norms and standards at its own expenses, within a period of three years from the date of such commencement. No provision for drinking water and even children are not allowed to use the toilets.

CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATION Every child has right to have free and compulsory education until s/he completes his/her elementary education Right of the Children to free and Compulsory education Act 2009. Every child now is entitled to get free and compulsory education. This is their right but only free and compulsory education is not enough to educate a child, quality of education is also very important as the new RTE Act 2009 speaks about maintaining teachers student ratio, using Teaching Learning materials, proper school infrastructural facilities with toilet facility, safe drinking water in school premises, playground, school boundary and gate, Kitchen Shed for Mid day meal scheme in schools and even sufficient classrooms where every children will enjoy their education. But even after all that still there are many hindrances stand between fulfilling their dreams. Hindrances such as having improper classrooms, insufficient teachers, lack of Teaching Learning materials, no or improper toilet and drinking water facility, poor building condition, lack of playground or playing materials. This is not only creating huddle in their education but also discouraging children and even their parents to continue education as many a time class V children fails to write his/ her name properly. Even after struggling for universalizing Mid Day Meal for children in schools till date most of the schools especially in Kolkata District is far behind meeting the target. The study reveals the lacuna in the situation of the Government or Government aided schools. After eight months of enactment of the RTE ACT 2009 still the situation of the schools are same. Some schools still demand fees or other charges sometimes in the name of development or electricity. Surprisingly, many teachers and even Head Teachers dont know all the features of the Act. As a result they are still following the previous style of education. All types of schools are it under DPSC, SSK, MSK, KMC, WBBSC or GSHP have more or less same situation. A few recommendations that can be made on the basis of the result of this study are as follows: 1. Formation of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR)

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2. Formation of State rule of RTE 2009 3. Infrastructural development in schools. 4. Pressurizing school authority so that no schools can demand for any expenses that can hinder any childs education. 5. Universalizing cooked Mid Day Meal in schools. 6. Focus on girl child retention and mainstreaming. 7. Grassroot level awareness sensitization on RTE and 2009

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LIST OF SCHOOLS WHERE SURVEY HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED

Sl. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Name of the school Akra Boga Noyapara FP School Akra High Madrasa FP School Akra Krishnanagar FP school Batanagar FP School Chak Chandul Free Primary School Chalkmir FP School Chandannagar Prathamik Vidyalaya Sarbodaya Hindi Primary School Dakhin Daulatpur FP School Magura FP School Satghara FP School Darul Ullam Qudira Akra Senior Madrasa Dharmatala FP School Duttabagan FP School Gandhi Vidyalaya Beledanga FP School Gonipur Sitala FP School Gopalpur FP school Melaghata FP School Gorkhara Free Primary School Harilut Abaitanik Prathamik Vidyalaya Type DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC KMC DPSC MSK SSK DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC SSK DPSC DPSC SSK DPSC DPSC Medium Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Hindi Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Hindi Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Address Akra, Noyapara, Dakghar, Kol-141 Akra, Kol-141 Gokul Bihari Rd. Akra Krishnanagar, Maheshtala Batanagar Maheshtala Kol-140 Chak Chandul, PO- Batanagar, Kol-140 Uttar Chalkmir PO-Dakgar, PS-Maheshtala Chandannagar, PS- Maheshtala Akra Fatak, PS- Rabindra Nagar, PO Bartala, Kol- 18 Vill & PO- Dakshin Daulatpur, Gharamipara Magura, Bangipara, PO- Batanagar, viaMaheshtala, 24 prgns Amlitala, ward-8 Akra Nungi-Sakrapara, Maheshtala Akra Fatak, Duttabagan GDC Sicklaine, Kol-43 Beledanga, PO Sibarampur, Maheshtala, kol-141 Maheshtala Gonipur South 24 prgns Gopalpur, Kol-141 Melaghata, Ward-18 Gorkhara, charaktala, Sonarpur, 24 prgns (s) Maheshtala Paschim chakra, PO-Gonipur, Kol-141

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

Netaji Subhash Prathamik Vidyalaya Jaita Prathamik Vidyalaya Hentalkhali Abaitanik Prathamik Vidyalaya Jagannathnagar Nimno Buniyadi fp School Jot Shibrampur FP School Kankhuli Purba Nirman Buniadi Prathamik Vidyalaya Kazi Nazrul Islam Kismat Nangi FP School Kismat Nungi CSFP Krishnanagar FP school Mahadeb Nagar High school Nehalia Day GSFP School Belgachia Urdu High school (Co-Ed) Belgachia Primary School Mohamadia GSHP School Azad Primary school Nehalia Day Junior High School Baruipur Girls' High school Madarat Ishan Chandra Balika Vidyalaya Netaji nagar Nivedita High School Atghara KaliKrishna Vidyapith Madarat Popular Academy Mahadevpur FP School Makalhati FP School Nabaratna Prathamik Vidyalaya

MSK MSK DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC SSK WBBS C SSK GSHP GSHP WBBS C

Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali

Jagannath Nagar, Sardar para, ward-18 Jagannath Nagar, Hemchandra Dutta PO- Hentalkhali PS- Maheshtala, Kol-140 Sardarpara, New Alinagar Shibrampur, PS- Maheshtala Kankhuli Purbopara, Bidangarh Makalhati Sundor Sarani

Akra Krishnanagar, Maheshtala ( Ward-20) Jalkal Natun Para, Maheshtala 83/E, Belgachia Road, Kol- 37

Urdu Urdu Urdu Urdu Urdu Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali

1/2/4 JK Ghosh Road, Kol- 37 83 A/26, Belgachia Road, kol-37 1/5, J.K. Road, kol-37 1/7A/21, J.K. Ghosh Road, Belgachia, Kol37 83/E, Belgachia Road, Kol- 37 Puratan Bazar, PO-Baruipur, Kol- 44 Po & Vill- Madarat, PS- Baruipur, 24 prgns (S) PO-Piyali Town, PS- Barmipur, Dist: 24 prgns (S) Atghara, Madarat, Baruipur, 24 prgns(S) Vill & PO- Madarat PS- Baruipur, Dist: South 24 prgns Mahadevpur, Haritala Road, Kol-141 Makalhati Mollapara X-33, Akra Road, Kol- 18

SSK DPSC DPSC DPSC

Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali

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47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75

Netaji Subhash FP School Nischintapur Tentulkhuly Prathamik Vidyalaya Nungi FP School KMC School KMC Prathamik Vidyalaya KMCP School Morning Ramkrishna Vidyalaya Munshi Prem Chand (KMC) School Munshi Prem Chand (KMC) Nungi Mallapara FP School Nungi Shibtala FP School Nurul Haque Mali Prathamik Vidyalaya Padirhati FP School Padirhati Santoshpur Prathamik Vidyalaya Pallisree Bani Bhavan FP School Panchur FP School Panchur Laskar para FP school Purba Mangura Prathamik Vidyalaya Purnochandra Paharpur FP School Rabindra Vidyapith FP School Ramdashati Susarnomayee FP School Rampur FP School Ratna Abaitamik primary School Santoshpur FP school Shibtala FP School Shramik Vidyalaya Shyamaprasad FP School Sibnagar FP School Sonarpur Buniadi Vidyalay

DPSC DPSC DPSC KMC KMC KMC SSK KMC KMC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC

Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Hindi Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Bengali Hindi Bengali Bengali Bengali

Santoshpur Government Colony, POSantospur (M) Chandannagar, Tentulkhuly, P.S. Maheshtala, P.O. Dakghar Nungi Chatterjee para Bagbazar Shyamapukur Street Era Street Kolkata Sealdah (Rajabazar) Kolkata-9 Munshi Prem Chand sarani (Hastings) 3, no. Hospital Lane Nungi-mallapara, Batanagar 24 prgns Nungi, Dharmatala Panchur, Maliapara Padirhati PO- Bidhangarh, Kol-66 Santoshpur, Ainalpara Ramdashati Bhandaripole PO- Bidhangarh, Kol-66 Panchur Lankarpara PO- Bidhangarh Mondalpara PS- Maheshtala, Dist- 24 Parganas (s) Paharpur Akra Saktigarh po- Bidhangarh Padirhati Rampur 1 pally, PO- Gobindopur, PSMaheshtala, Kol- 141 chanditala Park, Suldhar Gram, 24 prgns (S) Hajipara, PO- Santoshpur (M), Kol-142 Sibtala, Roypur, PO & PS- Maheshtala 16, Coal Dock Sarani, Kol-43 PO- Bidhangarh, Kol-66 Ramdashati Vill- Baikunthapur- Sonarpur- 24 prgns (S)

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76 77 78 79 80 81

Sonarpur Vidyapith High School Sri Saraswati Vidyalaya Subhas Vidya Mandir Uludanga Prathamik Vidyalaya Uttar Jagannath FP School

DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC DPSC

Bengali Hindi Bengali Bengali Bengali

Baikunthapur More, PS-Sonarpur, 24 prgns (S) Jainkunj (BB Hall) Sonai Road, Kol. 247/4, Maniktala Main Road, Kol-54 Batanagar Uttar Jagannath Nagar Primary School Santoshpur Government Colony, POSantospur (M), PS- Maaheshtala, 24 pgns (S) Baikuntha, Vivekananda Road, Sonarpur, 24 prgns (S)

Vivekananda Vidyapith 82 Vivekananda Vidyapith

DPSC DPSC

Bengali Bengali

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