The State Education Mission Authority of Meghalaya (SEMAM), Samagra Shiksha, in collaboration with Indus Action, organised a sensitisation and training programme for stakeholders for all 12 districts of the state.
The programme focused on the implementation of Section 12(1) (c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
The participants of four days programme, which concluded on May 30, include officials from different Education Department, such as District School Education Officer, Sub-Divisional School Education Officer, District Mission Coordinator, Block Mission Coordinator, State, District and Block MIS Coordinators, with a team of Resource Persons from Indus Action.
Education Secretary Swapnil Tembe informed Section 12(1)(c) of the Act mandates private unaided schools (non-minority) to reserve 25 per cent of their entry-level seats for children belonging to the weaker section and disadvantaged (including ST, SC, children suffering from HIV, orphan etc.) in the neighbourhood and provide free and compulsory elementary education.
He also emphasised that studying together in a school will bring inclusivity, ending stigma and discrimination towards the poor section of society, and strengthening the bond between the children.
State Project Director Banteilang J. Kharshandi said many poor families and children across the state will get an opportunity for their schooling with free and compulsory education. He said the provision ensures that children from these groups have access to quality education without facing fee barriers. He further urged all the stakeholders, including the district education department, private schools, parents, guardians and communities to come forward and work in a collaborative approach while implementing RTE 12 (1)(c).
To strengthen the system, a web portal called the Right to Education (RTE) portal has been established to centralise all applications and the registration process. This will ease students’ applications, schools registration, and department operation and monitoring process. The portal will cater to the responsibility of all stakeholders by simplifying the application and registration process, streamlining administrative tasks, providing efficient grievance redressal mechanisms, transparency and accountability.
