Assembly Committee on Subordinate Legislation submits report to House
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Assembly Committee on Subordinate Legislation on the Meghalaya Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education in its report has strongly recommended creation of a State Commission for Protection of Child Rights at the earliest.
“It has been brought to the attention of the Committee that the Government has formed the Right Education Protection Authority (REPA) as an interim arrangement. It has also come to notice that the Government is yet to form the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights which is vital to protect the Child Rights in our State,” the Committee said in its report which was tabled in the House on the first day of the Budget session on Friday.
It may be mentioned that after disposing of the resolution relating to the restructuring of some of the provisions of the RTE Rules, 2010, Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope, during the Autumn Session on September 15, 2011, had entrusted the Subordinate Legislation Committee to come up with suitable recommendations for amendment of the aforesaid rules keeping the concern of the members of the House and also taking into account the ground reality of the State.
“All schools shall have a maximum of 11 members in the Managing Committee. Out of which, eight members shall represent parents and guardian. One of whom should be the president of the committee,” the Committee further stated in its report.
However, the Assembly Committee recommends that the restriction on use of school building and play grounds for purpose of school development and education only should be relaxed in the State due to the fact that school buildings and playgrounds occasionally become veritable meeting place for carrying out social activities, especially in rural areas.
“Therefore, it will not be prudent to debar the school from allowing such activities to be conducted in school premises. However, political meetings and political activities should be barred from taking place in the school premises,” the Assembly committee said in the report.
Meanwhile, the Committee is also of the view that the Education department in conjunction with Social Welfare department should conduct a special survey to ascertain the actual number of specially-abled children in the State so as to take up appropriate action to address their special educational needs.
“Some special training to teachers should be imparted for addressing the problems of the differently-abled children,” the Committee said.
However, the Assembly Committee noted that the school drop outs, under-achievers, over-aged children need special training so that their academic session does not fall short on expectation.
It may be noted that the members of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation included Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri as Chairman , James K Sangma and ECB Bamon (both NCP) and Donbok Khymdeit and Ardent B Basaiawmoit (both UDP) as members.