From Legislation to the Classroom: Effects of the Right to Education Act on School Education in India

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n3.008

Keywords:

Right to Education, Learning, School Improvement, School Education in India, Effect of RTE

Abstract

The research examines the effect of Right to Education (RTE) on India’s elementary education and identifies challenges in its effective implementation. Utilising secondary data sources such as the Unified District Information System for Education Plus, the National Achievement Survey, and literature. The study found a dearth of research on comprehensive aspects of RTE implementation. The findings indicate that elementary education in India is at the crossroads of quantitative and qualitative development. It further observes a decline in absolute enrolment in the last decade while at the same time improving ‘Adjusted Net Enrolment Rate’ (ANER) and gender equality. Nevertheless, inclusion of ‘Schedule Tribes’ (ST) and ‘Children with Special Needs’ (CWSN) continues to be a matter of concern. The computer and internet facilities are substandard. Moreover, a consistent decline in learning achievement is observed in the national-level achievement surveys from 2012/2014 to 2021. It concludes that the provisions of the legislation have yet to transform the classroom in its true spirit.

Author Biography

Sanjeev Kumar Jha, Former Consultant, NCERT, New Delhi

Sanjeev Kumar Jha, PhD, is an accomplished educator and researcher with 13 years of experience, including over eight years of teaching at the school level and more than four years of research at leading national institutions such as the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi. He holds a PhD in Education, along with MSc (Mathematics), MA (Sociology), and M.Ed. His scholarly contributions include 16 research papers in reputed national and international journals, two psychometric tests, an edited book, and seven chapters in internationally edited volumes. Specializing in higher and school education, psychometrics, educational policy, and mathematics education, he is committed to enhancing educational research and policy development.

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Published

17-03-2025

How to Cite

Jha, S. K. (2025). From Legislation to the Classroom: Effects of the Right to Education Act on School Education in India . RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 10(3), 63–80. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n3.008