Bill Summary

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017

• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017 was introduced by the Minister of Human Resource Development, Mr. Prakash Javadekar in Lok Sabha on August 11, 2017. The Bill amends the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. 
   
• Under the Act, no child can be held back in any class until the completion of elementary school (classes 1-8). The Bill amends this provision to empower the central or state government to allow schools to hold back a child in class 5, class 8, or in both classes.
   
• The Bill states that a regular examination will be held in class 5 and class 8 at the end of every academic year. If a child fails in these examinations, he will be given additional instruction and the opportunity for a re-examination (within two months from the declaration of the result).
   
• If he fails in the re-examination, the child may be held back in class 5, class 8, or in both classes. The central and state government may also decide to not hold back the child in any class till the completion of elementary education.  Further, the central or state government will decide the manner and the conditions subject to which a child may be held back.

 

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