Child helpline soon to monitor RTE

New Delhi, May 31: An online mechanism and toll-free helpline could soon be put in place to help children register their complaints with regard to violation of their education rights as guaranteed under the Right To Education Act.

According to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which has been mandated to monitor the implementation of the historic law, may set up a child helpline to register complaints regarding violation of their rights.

The Act, which came into force from April one, makes education a fundamental right of every child in the age group of six to 14 years.

The NCPCR may put in place an online mechanism to monitor the complaints of children about violation of rights, the rules notified recently, said.

As per the rules, the states will have their own State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR). In case any does not have such a body, the appropriate government will constitute an interim Right of Education Protection Authority.

This will be remain in force till the SCPCR is formed.

Besides, the Centre will set up a National Advisory Council comprising 15 members to review norms and standards of educational facilities and commission studies to find out the effective implementation of the Act. The HRD Minister will be the ex-officio chairperson of the council.

Similar advisory councils will be set up at the state level.

The rules say that District Education Officer can withdraw recognition of any school for violation of provisions of the Act.

These rules will be effective for the Union Territories which do not have assemblies. The Union Territories having assemblies and the States will formulate their own rules.

-PTI