14 – 15 January 2014

1. Major Recommendations National Convention on Progress of RTE organized by NCPCR in collaboration with UNCEF 14 – 15 January 2014

2. Infrastructure and Other Entitlements • Availability of Infrastructure facilities is not enough, it should be adequate, of good quality and functional. Mechanisms to be explored for maintenance and required funds to be allocated. • Provision of child friendly school ecosystem and classroom design needs to be done in alignment with pedagogical practices (e.g.: activity based learning) in consultation with designers, architects, engineers, teachers and pedagogues. • Incorporate non-negotiable norms and standards in RTE for children with special needs • Develop composite index for school compliance based on all provisions of RTE Act

3. Learning Processes and Outcomes • Need for continuous professional development of elementary school teachers based on training need assessment • Development of CCE guidelines for assessment of children with special needs is also required • Encourage independent large scale assessment of learning levels of children to address systemic issues • Benchmarks to be developed for class-wise learning indicators/competencies • Strengthen mechanisms for effective implementation of Special Training Programmes

4. Inclusive Education • Need for enhanced system flexibility to cater to diverse groups and evolve differential programming strategies • Ensure Inter-ministerial/departmental convergence to address child rights issues that impact education • Build partnerships with educational and other institutions to enhance learning for all children • Pre-service teacher training to include course content on understanding of excluded children • Flexibility in school calendar, timings, curriculum, classroom practices to accommodate needs of special children

5. Governance, Grievance Redress Mechanism • Need for establishment of functional Grievance Redress Mechanism in all states for easy and fast redressal • Set up RTE Cell in every SCPCR for monitoring of RTE, with separate Toll Free Number • More clarity needed on mechanism of Grievance Redress through administrative, legal, and Right to Public Services provisions • Social audit should be made mandatory to accelerate RTE implementation • Need fro enhance capacities of School Management Committees for monitoring and supporting RTE implementing

6. General Recommendations • RTE act should be amended to include Early childhood education and extended to cover children up to the age of 18 years • Need for Institution of Child Rights Day