Section 2 of RTE Act : Section 2: Definitions

Explanation using Example

Imagine a family moves to a new city and wants to enroll their 8-year-old daughter, who has a hearing impairment, into a local school. They find a nearby public school and approach the administration for admission.

Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009:

• The "appropriate Government" in this case, if the school is controlled by the state, would be the State Government which is responsible for ensuring the child's right to education.
• The school cannot ask for a "capitation fee" or any kind of donation as a condition for admission.
• Their daughter falls under the definition of a "child" as she is within the age group of six to fourteen years.
• She is also considered a "child belonging to disadvantaged group" because of her disability, which entitles her to special provisions to facilitate her access to education.
• The term "child with disability" includes children with hearing impairment, which is recognized under the specified laws.
• The education she is entitled to is termed as "elementary education", meaning education from first to eighth class, which is free and compulsory.
• The "local authority" may also have roles in administrating educational provisions in the city.

The school is obliged by law to provide her with the necessary facilities and cannot deny her admission based on her disability. This is an example of how the definitions in Section 2 of the Act are applied to ensure the rights of a child to free and compulsory education.