SCHOOLS FORCING STUDENTS TO STUDY TEXTBOOKS OTHER THAN NCERT, VIOLATING RTE LAW: CENTRE TO STATES

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has written to states asking them to issue directions making it clear that if any school forces the children to study textbooks for elementary classes other than those prescribed by NCERT or respective SCERTs, it will be construed as a violation of Right To Education Act, 2009.

The commission has asked states to issue directions to schools that no child shall be discriminated against, harassed or neglected by the school for carrying books published and prescribed by the academic authority (NCERT/SCERT). “The schools must be directed to display the directions on schools’ website and notice boards and a copy be circulated by the schools among parents for information,” NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo recommended in a letter addressed to principal secretaries and secretaries of school education of all states and Union Territories. The commission has sought a compliance report within 30 days.

The NCPCR chief drew attention to the commission’s letters dated May 9, 2019 and April 13, 2023 wherein steps were recommended under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

The commission had sought that the states ensure that all schools are in adhering to the Right to Education Act, 2009 and following the curriculum (syllabus, textbooks) and evaluation procedure given by National Council of Educational Research and Training or State Council of Educational Research and Training.

“However, the repeated recurrence of the issue surrounding schools prescribing books published by private publishers suggests a clear disregard for children’s right to quality education and the RTE Act, 2009,” Kanoongo stated in the latest communication sent to states and UTs on April 9. The NCPCR highlights that the implications of the provisions of RTE were aimed at bringing uniformity in curriculum in all schools; quality education and reduction in cost of education in private schools to an extent that only prescribed books by NCERT/SCERT will be followed at elementary level.