SC dismisses plea seeking implementation of RTE Act saying education is priority but it can interfere

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School children in one of the schools in Srinagar/Photo: UNI

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking implementation of Right to Education (RTE) Act saying “it was not inclined to monitor implementation of RTE Act”.

“Don’t expect miracles to happen, India is a huge country. There are different priorities. Certainly, education is priority, but we can’t interfere,” said the apex court.

Enacted in 2009, RTE Act provides for free and compulsory education to children from 6 years to 14 years. Various studies suggest that only 8 per cent schools comply with RTE Act.

The government had set the deadline of 2013 to make all schools RTE compliant but according to the studies the schools have not kept pace with the deadline.

—India Legal Bureau