A public hearing on Right to Education Act (RTE) was conducted by the National Coalition for Education and Research Academy of Rural Enrichment.
This was organised to mark seven years of RTE Act implementation on April 1, 2017.
Several core components of elementary education under the Act like functioning of School Management Committee (SMC), lack of adequate and minimum teachers in schools, dropout of children, management of school funds, school infrastructure, MDM management and school safety issues as well as accessibility to schools in remote locations were discussed.
Around 31 cases were presented in the hearing by students, teachers and members of the SMC on the challenges that they are facing in terms of RTE compliance mentioned in the Act. The jury comprised of CWC chairperson Subarnapur Chandra Sekhar Mishra, educationist Mamata Swain, advisor on RTE to OSCPCR Ghasiram Panda, Block Education Officer Kesab Chadra Meher.
The gaps of RTE implementation were highlighted.
Among others, executive director of NCE Bella Das, research coordinator Priya Bhakat, State representative of NCE Naba Kishor Pujari, RARE president Gourishyam Panda and secretary Ashutosh Hota were present.
The detailed recommendation and individual observations of the jury and the cases presented were submitted to the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights for further action.