Karwar: Under the RTE Act, schools cannot withhold a student's transfer certificate (TC) due to unpaid fees. If such actions are taken, strict measures will be initiated against the responsible institutions, stated Dr. K.T. Tippeswamy, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
He was speaking on Monday at a review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner's office. The meeting was jointly organized by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the District Administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the Education Department, the Department of Women and Child Development, and the District Child Protection Unit. The session focused on the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, as well as the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy, 2016, and the child-friendly transportation system. Officials from the district and taluk levels of the education and transport departments participated in the meeting.
Dr. Tippeswamy highlighted that several complaints had been received regarding private schools refusing to issue transfer certificates, and the commission is taking this matter seriously. He directed the education department officials to issue strict instructions to private schools regarding this. Additionally, he mandated that all grant-in-aid and non-aided school headmasters display an RTE cell information board in their offices. He emphasized that private schools must establish a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to discuss and determine school fees transparently and maintain all necessary records.
Commending Uttara Kannada district for effectively implementing the Child Protection Policy-2016, he noted that the policy had been enforced in all schools in the past year. He stressed that children's safety is as important as quality education and called on officials to ensure its effective implementation. He also instructed that every school, whether government-run or private, must form a Child Safety Committee.
Regarding school dropouts, he stated that merely persuading children or sending notices would not be effective. Instead, officials must identify the specific reasons for dropping out and provide constructive solutions. A taluk-wise list of dropouts should be prepared and discussed every three months in the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) meetings, with relevant departments working towards solutions to reduce dropout rates.
Dr. Tippeswamy further stated that every village panchayat under the Panchayat Raj system has a Women's and Children's Protection Committee, which includes school headmasters as members. These committees should discuss and address school-related issues. He also directed that school parliaments should function creatively, and SDMC committees should not only be formed but must hold regular meetings every three months and maintain records.
To raise awareness among children, he suggested that Child Rights Gram Sabhas be conducted to educate students about democracy, encourage questioning, and inform them about local governance facilities. He also called for open house sessions in schools, involving police and legal officials, to create awareness about law enforcement and legal systems among teachers and students.
Additionally, he directed that guest teachers must undergo mandatory training on the JJ Act, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the RTE Act, the POCSO Act, and the Child Protection Policy. Furthermore, police verification should be compulsory before appointing guest teachers. Unauthorized coaching centers should be issued notices, and any coaching center operated by the education department must obtain mandatory approval.
The meeting was attended by Basavaraj, Deputy Director of the School Education Department; Virupakshagouda Patil, Deputy Director of the Women and Child Development Department; District Child Protection Officer Sonal Aigal; taluk education officers, and other officials.