Shri Kapil Sibal underlines Role of Government School System in Implementing RTE
The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal has underlined the role of the Government Schools system in the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE). He was addressing the valedictory session of the Conference of State School Education Secretaries here today. Shri Sibal pointed out that 93% of our children are studying in government schools. The RTE has given the government, which manages the government school system, a unique opportunity to raise the level of elementary education in the country, so that the HR needs of the country, in the future, are met, he said.
Shri Sibal stated that a software for transparent teacher recruitment has been prepared and stated that the States must also undertake teacher recruitment in a transparent manner. He also underlined the need for a transparent teacher transfer policy. He emphasized that the role of the teacher, of the school, of the government, must be to ensure that education is child centric.
The Minister called upon States to come forward and implement the RTE with enthusiasm. He pointed out that the centre had allocated additional funds for the States and made the sharing pattern in a ratio on 65:35 for five years. He called upon the States to work towards appropriate teacher qualifications and infrastructure norms as mandated by the RTE.
During the Session a presentation was made on education of equitable quality and on revised teacher qualifications. Also present in the meeting among others was Smt. Anshu Vaish, Secretary Department of School Education and Literacy and Smt. Anita Kaul, Addl. Secretary in the Department.
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