LS passes bill to give unqualified RTE teachers another chance

The Lok Sabha today passed a bill which seeks to give 8.5 lakh unqualified teachers, appointed after implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) law, another chance to get recognised degrees.
The amendment bill gives them the final chance till March, 2019 to get degrees or they may be in danger of losing jobs.
When the RTE Act was implemented in 2010, new schools were set up but qualified teachers were not available and unqualified teachers, including those with graduation degrees, were recruited, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said while piloting the Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill,2017.
They were given five years to get qualified for their profession, he said.

Still, six lakh private school teachers and 2.5 lakh government school teachers continue to educate without proper qualification, the minister said.
He said the recently-launched 'Swayam' portal and HRD ministry's free-to-air DTH channels can help such teachers get educational material.

The minister said 32 DTH channels are dedicated to 'Swayam' and 'Swayam Prabha'.
"Swayam platform is proving to be productive. People are learning through this platform. This platform is being used as study centre," Javadekar said.
He further said that an app has been designed for authentication of attendance of teachers.
Responding to views and suggestions made by various members during the debate, the minister said the government is ready for dialogue on how to improve the quality of education, both inside and outside Parliament.

The bill was supported by K V Thomas of Congress.
Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) said while education is compulsory, it is necessary that standards are the same across the country, failing which the law will not serve its purpose.
B Mahtab (BJD) demanded a separate budget for the RTE so that its progress could be ascertained.
Supriya Sule (NCP) said the training of teachers should be taken to the next level by making them aware of the new learning challenges faced by students with dyslexia and autism syndrome.
Expelled RJD member Rajesh Ranjan demanded introduction of moral education from class 1st to 7th and physical education to students of class 7th-12th.