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Seminar Report

Proceeding report on the seminar titled "Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions on Protection of the Children's Fundamental Rights as per Enshrined under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 during Pandemics in India."

Date: 3rd & 4th March 2025
Venue: Conference Hall of Zilla Parishad, Balasore, Odisha

Funding Agency & Programme: National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi
Organized by: BADC (Basti Area Development Council), Sovarampur, Balasore, Odisha, Pin-756001

Abbreviations

Welcome Ceremony

The Guests and Dignitaries, Resource Person are being welcomed by Flower bouquet by the staff of BADC.

Inaugural Ceremony

Smt. Anusaya Pradhan – Vice President, Zilla Parishad, Balasore (Highest structure of PRI system) inaugurating the Two days Seminar by Lighting the Lamp & other Guests, Dignitaries, Resource persons are Present.

Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions on Protection of the Children's Fundamental Rights as per Enshrined under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 during Pandemics in India

Preface & About BADC

Basti Area Development Council (BADC) is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious voluntary organization dedicated to working for the poor and disadvantaged. This seminar was organized to address challenges and propose actionable solutions for the implementation of the Right to Education Act.

Background Note on the Seminar

Significant developments in Indian education during the 11th Five Year Plan have led to improved enrollments and infrastructure. However, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical weaknesses in the education system, particularly in rural areas. The seminar focused on these issues, emphasizing the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in ensuring educational continuity.

Objectives of the Seminar

1. To refresh provisions of Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 among concerned stakeholders.
2. To assess the helplessness of the PRI members during COVID-19 in education management.
3. To explore the alternative possibilities that could have been adopted within the purview of PRI Institution capacities.

Thus, this has crucial and direct relevance on monitoring, management, and implementation aspects of education policy in India which might get hampered during the above-mentioned emergencies.

Salient Features of the Right to Education Act, 2009

• Compulsory and free education for all: It is obligatory for the Government to provide free and compulsory elementary education to each and every child, in a neighbourhood school.
• Benchmark mandate: The Act lays down norms and standards relating to Pupil-Teacher Ratios, classrooms, separate toilets for girls and boys, drinking water facility, school-working days, and working hours of teachers.
• Special provisions for special cases: Out-of-school children should be admitted to an age-appropriate class and provided with special training to catch up academically.
• Quantity and quality of teachers: Ensures rational deployment of teachers, maintaining Pupil-Teacher Ratios without urban-rural imbalance, and mandates qualified teachers.
• Zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment: Prohibits physical punishment, mental harassment, discrimination based on gender, caste, class, or religion, and bans screening procedures, capitation fees, private tuitions, and unrecognized schools.
• Ensuring all-round development of children: Provides for curriculum development to build knowledge, human potential, and talent in every child.
• Improving learning outcomes to minimize detention: Mandates that no child can be held back or expelled until Class 8, introducing Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) for learning outcomes.
• Monitoring compliance of RTE norms: Empowers School Management Committees (SMCs) comprising head teachers, elected representatives, parents, and community members to oversee school functioning and create development plans.
• Right to Education Act is justiciable: Supported by a Grievance Redressal mechanism for action against non-compliance.
• Creating inclusive spaces for all: Mandates 25% reservation in private schools for socially disadvantaged and economically weaker sections to foster social inclusion.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which paralyzed the entire school system, there were significant challenges in implementing the Right to Education. The Panchayatiraj Institutions (PRIs) were largely helpless in fulfilling their responsibilities. Many parents lacked the financial means to support online learning, and the digital divide severely impacted rural and underprivileged students.

Though PRIs could have played a vital role during the pandemic, they remained passive observers. The primary objective of the seminar was to analyze and reinforce the provisions of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and to highlight the role of PRIs in ensuring its effective implementation at the grassroots level.

Seminar Proceedings

Inaugural Ceremony

The inaugural session commenced at 10:00 am with registration completed prior to the event. Smt. Anusaya Pradhan, Vice President of Zilla Parishad, Balasore, inaugurated the seminar by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

Plenary Session

After Tea break again Plenary session started where Prof Satrughana Mallick :- Retd Professor present Member , Child Welfare Committee ( CWC) ,

Balasore Balasore has addressed on the topic of National Policy of Child Rights with context of Constitutional Mandate and presented a paper which copy was circulated to all participants Sri Gouranga Mohapatra – Resource person is addressing to the participants in Seminar

Technical Session - II

Discussion on educational improvements and challenges such as dropout rates, poor facilities, and disparities in education. Sri Gouranga Mohapatra emphasized:

• Norms and Components of SMC
• Roles and Responsibilities of SMC
• Formation and Responsibilities of PTA
• Parental roles in school improvement
• Standing Committee formation and duties

Technical Session - III

Sri Girish Kumar Dutta discussed infrastructure and teacher shortages affecting RTE implementation. Highlighted states include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.

Technical Session - IV

Sri Harish Raj, Ombudsman & Ex-CWC Member, emphasized free and compulsory education as a constitutional right. Spoke on RTE implementation and required actions by state governments:

• Notify rules for the Act
• Constitute State Commission for Child Rights
• Set state academic authority

Stressed on infrastructure, training, and implementation gaps.

Sri Harish Raj – Ombudsman & Ex- Member Child Welfare Committee ( CWC) , Balasore addressing to the participants .

Day II Highlights

After recap of day-I summary & discussing Technical session started . Sri G. Kar- Secretary , BADC, Balasore is addressing to the participants about recap & guests, Dignitaries attended on 2nd day in the seminar .

• Sri Gouranga Mohapatra
• Smt. Pranati Das (Chairman, SMC Public High School)
• Smt. Gouri Nayak (Dy Collector & DSWO)
• Smt. Sonali Biswal (Zilla Parishad Member)
• Sri Girish Kumar Dutta (Zilla Parishad Member)
• Sri Priya Ranjan Mohanty (CWC Member)

After recap of day-I summary & discussing Technical session started . Sri G. Kar- Secretary , BADC, Balasore is addressing to the participants about recap & guests, Dignitaries attended on 2nd day in the seminar .

Smt. Gouri Nayak- Dy Collector & Dist. Social Welfare Officer , Balasore is addressing on 2nd day of Seminar

After recap of day-I summary & discussing Technical session started . Sri G. Kar- Secretary , BADC, Balasore is addressing to the participants about recap & guests, Dignitaries attended on 2nd day in the seminar .

PPT presentation by Sri Gouranga Mohapatra followed by a question-answer session with participants.

Si Girish LKumar Dutta - Member Zilla Parishad ( PRI member) is addressing to the participants on 2nd day of seminar and asking some questions to Resource person .

Sri Priya Ranjan Mohanty - Member Child Welfare Committee ( CWC ) , - Resource Person & Expert Balasore is addressing to the participants in seminar

Valedictory Session

Address by Sri Narayan Chandra Pradhan, President Zilla Parishad, Balasore, focusing on education development strategies. Key points:

• Universal access to quality education
• Equity, inclusion, and quality at all levels
• Use of ICT, teacher training, and vocational programs
• Community participation in RTE implementation

Additional emphasis on:

• Holistic strategies for child rights
• Vocational training for women
• Special programs for adolescent girls
• Career guidance and entrepreneurship education

Sri Goranaga Mohapatra – Resource person is addressing through PPT presentation

One of the AWW & SMC member of a school is asking question in question hour session to Resource Person & all participants are in Seminar .

SMC members – Participants are asking question in Question hour session in the Seminar.

Question Hour Session

Sri Gouranga Mohapatra-Resource person is giving reply to the question asked by the Participants in Question hour session .

Process of SMC Formation

The concerned CRCC should decide when to form the SMC and inform the standing committee about the date of formation. The concerned Sarpanch, Ward Member of the standing committee, and concerned BEO have to be present during the selection process.

The Head Master is the Convener of the SMC. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson are selected from among the parents. If the Chairperson is male, then the Vice Chairperson will be female and vice versa.

The Chairperson is selected by all the parents in the school using a voting system.

• Only one vote is allowed per family and a minimum of 40% parents should be present.
• Government employees are not eligible to vote.

Issues Highlighted

• In most cases, the Chairperson is selected by the Head Master without voting.
• The number of educationists needs to be increased to make a quality school development plan.
• Only 64% of schools have SMCs.

Discussion

SDP is not properly prepared. There are several unnecessary questions mentioned in the SDP format.

There is a provision in RTE to provide seasonal hostels for children of migrant families. These hostels are now open in western Odisha. The Labour Department requires more applications from the district authority to open similar new hostels wherever necessary.

Recommendations

1. The seminar resulted in several actionable recommendations for improving the role of PRIs in education governance:
2. Strengthen PRI Capacity-Building Initiatives – Implement regular training programs for PRI members on education management and policy implementation.
3. Enhance Digital Infrastructure – Improve internet connectivity, provide digital devices, and create e-learning platforms to bridge the digital divide in rural areas.
4. Develop Emergency Education Plans – Formulate contingency plans for educational continuity during pandemics, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
5. Increase PRI Involvement in School Governance – Enhance community participation in School Management Committees (SMCs) to monitor school performance and address grievances.
6. Improve Financial Support for Underprivileged Students – Strengthen government schemes and subsidies to ensure access to quality education for economically weaker students.
7. This seminar and house resolved that there should be a Seminar cum Workshop cum Training Programme for 3 days for all stakeholders.

Conclusion

The two-day seminar provided a valuable platform for discussion, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among policy-makers, PRI members, educators, and community leaders. It emphasized the need for PRIs to take a proactive role in ensuring effective implementation of the RTE Act and highlighted key areas for improvement in education policy and local governance.

The recommendations developed during the seminar will be forwarded to the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) and other relevant authorities for further consideration and policy development.