RTE Act

Source- Sangai express

IMPHAL, Sep 29: A one day district convention on “Right to Free and Compulsory Education” (RTE) was held at Yurem-bam Awang High School today. The convention was jointly organized by Yurem-bam Apunba Club and Manipur Alliance for Child Rights.

N Nimai, retired joint director, Education (S) graced the convention as the chairperson.

Special invitees including Gopi Mohan, Zonal Education Office,zone II, Yaima, deputy inspector, Zone I, L Chaobihal Devi, pradhan of Yurembem gram panchayat, Y Laba, senior journalist and Pradip Kumar, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights attended the convention on the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Convention on RTE stresses on need of a monitorig body

source- Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, September 29: A one day district convention on “Right to Free and Compulsory Education”(RTE) was held at Yurembam Awang High School today. The convention was jointly organized by Yurembam Apunba Club and Manipur Alliance for Child Rights.

N Nimai, retired joint director, education (s) graced the convention as the chairperson.

Special invitees including Gopi Mohan, Zonal Education Office, zone II, Yaima, deputy inspector, Zone I, L Chaobihal Devi, pradhan of Yurembem gram panchayat, Y Laba, senior journalist and founder member of Manipur Human Rights Commission and Pradip Kumar, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights attended the convention and delivered their comments on the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Among the speakers, Pradip Kumar stressed that the Act has not been implemented in totality in the state and the children of the state have been deprived of their fundamental rights.

Comparing the right to education with the right to life, he said that to monitor the RTE Act from the grass-root level, the School Monitoring Committee (SMC) system have been instituted under the provision of the act to observe the conduct of the teachers and the functioning of the school so that the children may get the facilities so provided under the act.

He mentioned that a SMC committee consisting of 14 members should be constituted for every school and half of the committee should comprise of women as per the norms given.

Under the act there are provisions for exemption of 25 percent from the admission fees of the students during times of enrollment in private schools since the inception of the act.

“The students studying in class I should avail the facility in private schools, as the RTE have been in implementation from the previous year onwards, yet the private schools are still to address the issue”, he said.

“There should be no screening exams conducted for the admission of students to the private schools so as to ensure free and fair education, yet it still goes on regardless”, he added.

Mentioning the hindrances in the RTE act by the departments concerned, he said that the implementing body of the RTE, officials of the concerned education (s) department when approached were also confused in their stance regarding implementation of the Act in totality.

He stressed on the need of a monitoring body to oversee the implementing authority of the RTE for better transparency and providing the amenities under the Act.

“The need to institute the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is the need of the hour as such a body can monitor and fill the voids left lacking post implementation of the RTE Act”, he said.

Yambem Laba, also in a similar assertion stated that the state have been in a cesspool of corruption owing to many factors and has inherently affected the education sector.

He said that corrections in the system cannot be made overnight, but have to begin systematically from the grass root level onwards and will take time.

“Every individual or official has a large role to play in addressing the effective realization of the RTE , the requirement is to maintain one’s ideology and selfless endeavour in working to bring about a better system of delivering quality education by the government schools”, he said.

He further stated that behind the guise of non state actors, anti social elements have been preying on the infrastructure development of schools for monetary gains, such actions should be differed by the concerned and must have the courage to face the adversity to bring about a holistic change in the education sector and otherwise, he said.

The convention also saw participation from the attendees in an interaction session with officials from the education department.

It may be mentioned that the RTE Act, 2009 provides free and compulsory education to children from six to fourteen years of age besides other facilities of free text books, uniform, schoolbags, provision of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities among others.

MACR calls for sanity, lifting blockade

IMPHAL, Sep 23: Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has appealed to both Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) and United Naga Council (UNC) to end their respective economic blockade and counter economic blockade immedi- ately in consideration of suffering of the people specially innocent children of all communities in Manipur.

MACR has also appealed to the Government of Manipur to resolve tactfully the volatile issue before it goes out of hand and warned that if not, an impending humanitarian crisis of severe artificial famine and even ethnic clashes are in the offing.

In a statement signed by its convenor Keisham Pradipkumar, MACR observed that it is high time for self-retrospection, to understand that the protracted economic blockade called by SHDDC since July 31 and subsequent counter blockade called by UNC from August 21 have failed to bring any honourable solution, but it has literally held the people of Manipur to ransom, which would not be the real target of either SHDCC or UNC.

Everyone knows that if the economic blockade or the counter economic blockade have ever brought any benefits, it is only to the business community, who enjoy their heydays during blockade period. They accumulate huge profits out of the ever sky-rocketing prices of essential goods. It is now becoming obvious that the State, its elites and business community are hand in glove and are conspiring covertly to prolong the agitation only to serve their vested interest while keeping the poor masses as sacrificial lamb, MACR observed.

MACR pointed out that with the economic blockade completing 53 days, its acute economic and social impact is now becoming quite noticeable even as many hungry stricken students have already left their classrooms and took out protests and drivers against the State Government’s failure to control the unreasonably high prices of essential goods. Several times, transportation of school children is being compelled to bring to a halt while managing to get fuel and the situation of supplying Mid-Day meal’s food grains and ICDS food grains is becoming more grim.

It has only worsen the overall Right to Education, Right to Food and Right to Life situation in the State which is already in a pitiable position. Many poor parents could hardly feed their children even two meals a day while many patients, specially pregnant mothers are facing hardship due to want of Oxygen and life saving drugs.

Moreover, the fate of children living with HIV/AIDS and other PLHAs who are on ART, are uncertain as the ART drugs are at the brink of running out stock at any point of time, as even the trucks transporting medicines are not spared by the agitators, the statement of MACR observed.

MACR appeals to call off blockades

Imphal, September 23 2011: While considering the ever grievous impact to the general public, with special reference to the sufferings of the innocent children of all communities, the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) appealed to the SHDDC and UNC to end their economic blockades at the earliest.

A press release of MACR also appealed to the state government to resolve the issue before it takes and ugly turn which might flare up ethnic clashes.

The release further stated that many hunger stricken students have already left classrooms and took out protest and drives against the state's failure to control the unreasonably high prices.

The ongoing blockades have violated the Right to Education, Right to Food and Right to Life.

Many poor parents could hardly feed their children and many patients, especially the pregnant women, who are facing untold sufferings due to want of oxygen and life saving drugs.

The fate of children living with HIV/AIDS and other PLHAs who are on ART are uncertain as the ART drugs are on the brink of drying up as even the trucks transporting medicines are not spared by the agitators, it stated.

"It is high time for self retrospection, to understand that the ever prolonged economic blockades called by SHDDC from July 31 and subsequent counter blockade called by UNC from August 21 have failed to bring any honorable solution, but has literally held the people of Manipur to ransom, which would not be the real target of either SHDDC or UNC" it stressed.

Ukhrul students deprived of provisions under Right to Education Act

IMPHAL Sept 15: The right of the children to free and compulsory education as enshrined in the constitution fails to address the children studying in almost all the government schools functioning in Ukhrul district. Parents have to pay educational expenses on their own on in stark contrast to the provision provided in the RTE Act 2009.

As per the rules no child studying in Government school (Class I to Class VII) is liable to pay admission, tuition, examination and any other fees or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing elementary education.

However, even after more than a year since the RTE Act is implemented in the state, there is still big gap between what is assured by the government for the children studying in government run schools and what is being implemented in the ground. The children in the district could get text book of a few subject in the middle of the academic session, only part of the uniform is available to each children. School bags could not be made available to all the children enrolled in the government and aided schools in the primary and upper primary level during the 2010-2011 as per DISE Report.

This was stated by H. Thotchuila, convener of Ukhrul District Alliance for Child Rights,UDARC during her key note address of the inaugural session of the one day District Level People’s convention on RTE. The convention was held today at the Multi-purpose conference hall of Mini Secretariat in Ukhrul.

She elaborated that Infrastructural development is still a big challenge. Most of the schools do not have safe drinking water facilities, separate restrooms for boys and girls, adequate classrooms, benches and desks. Many of the Schools in the district are of ill equipped to run for normal classes. Further during her speech she highlighted that many of the provisions are yet to be realized such as the 25% reservation in class I in private schools for economically disadvantaged children belonging to SC, ST,OBC, minorities, orphans, children affected/infected by HIV and others whose parents income does not exceed Rs. 40000 per annum.

The state government has failed to address the required necessary arrangements in the district for the children with special needs, particularly mentally and physically challenged children. The pursuit of bringing quality education is misdirected in the district as many of the teachers appointed to teach in the schools are indulging in employing proxy teachers on their behest.

She further stressed during her speech that the recognition of private schools should be strictly comply with the prescribed norms of the RTE Act. Pupils Teachers Ratio needs to be specifying at the earliest in order to avoid congestions in the classroom particularly in private schools, she said.

She added that corporal punishment and mental harassment continue to inflict the children not only violating the child rights but also discourage them from study.

Citing the need to introduce the school teachers to train adequate professional degree within five years to improve quality education in the district, Thotchuila urged the authority concerned to include the counseling aspect during teachers training. Later she urged that a rigorous capacity building is needed for the School Management Committee in order to sharpen their efficiencies to effectively perform their duties.

In the mean time R. Sudhan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul district while addressing the gathering as the chief guest of today’s inaugural session pointed out that there is a need to develop community participation in bringing coherent academic atmosphere. He said that public participation is a must, if we are to garner successful implementation of welfare schemes. Recounting on his personal experiences on the hill districts of the state, Sudhan asserted that the hill areas are lacking in the standard of education scenario as compare to their counter parts in the valley districts. There are no sufficient teachers to impart the students, infrastructures are in shamble and attendance of student ratio is poor. Highlighting on the issue of teachers indulging in employing proxy teachers in the hill districts, he said that strict vigilance needs to be impose to the schools.

Keisam Pradeep, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights who was also on the dais during the function also stressed on the issue of proxy teachers and social deprivation of mentally and physically challenged students.

The District level People’s convention on RTE was organized by UDACR in collaboration with MACR.

W. Rock, Chairman SMDC Siroi Hills, N. Everest Luikham, ZEO, Ukhrul, Silla J. Konghay, president TSL and Ringyuichon Vashum member secretary CWC Ukhrul were also on the dais during the inaugural session of the convention.

Child Rights activists call for effective RTE

Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has called upon the stakeholders to initiate serious actions for effective implementation of Right to Education (RTE) in the state.
In the District Level Convention on RTE held in Ukhrul today, MACR convenor Keisam Pradip said, “Manipur is lacking in various areas in RTE implementation. This convention is to promote a campaign for its proper implementation.”

He rued that the state government is not serious enough to implement the Act and has even failed to adopt certain measures regarding the child rights in Manipur.
Keisam stated that RTE is also about Right to Life and is inter-related with child rights. “Ask what action has been taken in the district in case of default in RTE implementation,” he posed a query to the participants on the status of RTE implementation in Ukhrul.

In a keynote address UDACR convenor H Thotchuila, said, “…we still experienced a big gap between what is promised to children and what is being implemented on the ground.”

In the last 62 years since the country’s Independence, she stated that “The Act (RTE) is a historic opportunity for providing better future to children of the country as there was never such a landmark legislation…However, this can really happen if all the stakeholders honestly take the responsibility and there is a political will to happen this.”

However, UDACR convenor cited the multiple lacunae dogging the RTE implementation in the state. In her keynote address, she mentioned the undue delay and insufficient supply of school materials to children, non-improvement of school infrastructure and failure to implement 25percent reservation for economically disadvantaged children. Thotchuila also stated, “There is no intervention of for children with special needs, particularly mentally challenged children.”

Further, she called upon the need for quality education, discontinuation of corporal and metal harassment meted out to the children, still prevailing in various schools in the state, while also emphasizing on incorporating counseling aspects in teacher’s training. The convention was today graced by Ukhrul SDO Rajan Vishal, who stepped in as chief guest in the eleventh hour after the DC was inopportune to attend the programme.

Harping upon the need for community participation in regard to RTE implementation, Rajan also urged the organizer to the campaign to grassroot level. “Community participation is very important for effective RTE implementation…organizers should also take the campaign to sub-divisional area,” he stated.

Ukhrul ZEO Ngaraipam Luikham elaborated on the status of RTE implementation in the district. However, he expressed regret for failure to effectively implement the historic Act citing functional difficulties.

Urging the UDACR to join hands with the zonal education office in implementing the RTE, he is optimistic of effectiveness and transparency in RTE campaign.
In the technical session, which was held on certain issues including SMC formation, 25 percent reservation, school recognition process, proxy teachers, corporal punishment, teachers pupil ratio (TPR) among others, many participants pitched in questions for discussion.
Interestingly, the technical session witnessed spirited debated between the child rights activists and Ukhrul ZEO.

Manipur stands against AFSPA as world remembers 9/11 tragedy

IMPHAL, Sept 11: As the world commemorated the 10th anniversary of Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, the people of Manipur today commemorated the 53rd anniversary of the President of India giving his assent to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

Shielding off the armed forces of the union operating the 'disturbed area' from any legal action, AFSPA has institutionalized impunity and facilitated gross human rights violations including enforced disappearances, rape, extra-judicial execution, torture and arbitrary detention.

Over two hundred people took out a silent march by tying a black band on their mouth. The protestors belonging to all communities of Manipur including the Meitei, Naga and Kuki; and representing various organisations including Sharmila Kangba Lup (SAKAL), Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Wide Angle, HERICON, People's Dialogue Initiative, Naga Leader's Forum, Manipur, United NGO Mission Manipur (UNM-M), Centre for Social Development (CSD), Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM), Chanura Lamjinglen Kangkleika (CLK), International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Widow Welfare Society, Weaker Section Development Council, Centre for Women and Girl etc. hold the day long protest under the banner of Just-Peace Foundation (JPF).

The marchers gathered at JNIMS hospital where Sharmila has been held in isolation on charges of attempting to commit suicide for her hunger strike demanding the repeal of the AFSPA since November 2000. The silent march started from JNIMS in an expression of people's solidarity to Sharmila's historic struggle against the Act and to symbolically infuse her spirit into the people's movement.

The marcher carried play cards and banner with a clarion call for REPEAL AFSPA. The silent marcher arrived at Iboyaima Sanglen, Palace Compound - the pre-planned venue for a day-long-hunger strike and public meeting.

Sharing the painful memories of people living in isolated hill districts where the civil space is highly militarized, one of the women leaders narrated the personal experiences of having violated women's chastity, dignity and privacy and also the traumatic experiences of a large number of youth and children. She called upon the Central as well as the State government of to give people a chance for and a sense of being cared and heard by repealing AFSPA.

During the meeting the four member delegation of JPF, who visited New Delhi on the invitation of the Union Law Minister reported of their meeting on 7 September 2011 and appraised the gathering of the negotiations with the central government on the issue of the repeal of AFSPA.

Elsewhere in Manipur, around fifty persons organised a special prayer in a local mosque at Lilong in Thoubal district and organised a day long sit-in-protest echoing the same demand - REPEAL AFSPA.

People's voice to repeal the Act has also been reverberated in various corner of the country. In Delhi University more than two hundred student and activist from all over India gather at the Arts Faculty gate to register their protest against AFSPA. Representatives of the National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM), People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), All India Student's Alliance (AISA), JNU Student's Union etc. spoke during the meeting. It is resolved that a solidarity peace rally will be brought out on 2 October 2011 under the banner of Right to Life campaign. A torch rally is also being organized in JNU campus to-night.

Internationally, the Solidarity for Democratization Movement in Asia and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development in a press release dated today also call upon the government of India to demilitarize Kashmir and the North East and also to repeal AFSPA. Today the New York Time carried an article In India, 11-Year Hunger Striker Military Violence Is Waged in Shadows.

CRY promotes “My School Campaign”

India Blooms News Service

Kolkata, Sept 9 (IBNS) Amid the presence of some of the most popular Bangla band singers, Child Rights and You (CRY) on the occasion of World Literacy Day on Thursday organized a campaign called “My School Campaign” which was meant to highlight children’s vision of a perfect school.


Part of the campaign was exhibition of post cards and drawings by children from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Manipur who had written how they envisage a perfect school.

The exhibition was a visual expression of these children’s aspirations and their vision of a perfect school.

Their vision included small things like play ground, school dress, midday meal, cleanliness, computer, library, health check-up, and basic amenities like drinking water, toilets and school buildings. A school where there was no discrimination.

This initiative of CRY is to bridge the gap between the have and have-not. The main aim of CRY was to create awareness about child rights which include Right To Free Education (RTE).

The campaign threw light on how children in the rural areas and the urban slums are being devoid of basic facilities in school.

CRY depicted the enormous gap between what Constitution ensures and what the reality is.

Atindronath Das, Regional Director CRY, said that Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education ACT of 2009 for children belonging to 6-14 years age group has not been implemented properly.

He said that “awareness is important but along with that State govt. has to take responsibility to implement the Act.”

He threw light on how CRY is monitoring the implementation of the Act by collecting primary data from government schools across the country.

He also expressed his concern about the problem of growing school dropouts as well as child labour.

Abhik Bhattacharya, Senior Manager, Media Advocacy, CRY, said that it is important to make parents understand the importance of education and in turn change the mindset of a community at large.

Sidhu of Cactus band, Anindya Chattopadhya of Chandrabindu band and singer Nipobithi attended the Kolkata campaign which was part of the National Campaign.

Sidhu supporting the cause said “we were fortunate enough to go to a school with good teachers, play grounds and proper infrastructure…but we need to help many who are devoid of such facilities.”

Nipobithi suggested that “we can bring smile on the faces of these children by contributing in our own way..like buying dresses which will also make us happy.”

According to CRY, more than 35 million children are out of school now. Only one in six of 1.7 million rural schools have toilets.

It says 60% schools have less than two teaches to teach in class I and V while 40 million children are working in India.



(Reporting by Nawaneeta Subba, photo by Tathagata Das)

CRY " My School campaign" at Jadavpur University Campus, Kolkata