RTE Act — Duties of Government Officials
Section 8 imposes 10 duties on the appropriate government. Section 9 imposes 13 duties on local authorities. Here they are, with accountability metrics for each.
Appropriate Government (State Government)
Provide free and compulsory elementary education to every child
Ensure availability of a neighbourhood school for every child
Ensure no discrimination against weaker section and disadvantaged group children
Provide school infrastructure: building, teachers, learning equipment
Provide special training for out-of-school children (Section 4)
Monitor admission, attendance, and completion by every child
Ensure quality education conforming to Schedule norms
Prescribe curriculum and courses of study
Provide teacher training facilities
Ensure non-discriminatory and non-coercive admission procedures
Local Authority (Panchayat / Municipality)
Provide free and compulsory elementary education to every child in jurisdiction
Ensure availability of a neighbourhood school
Ensure no discrimination against weaker section and disadvantaged group children
Maintain records of all children aged 0–14 in the jurisdiction
Monitor admission, attendance, and completion by every child
No discrimination on grounds of caste, race, language, religion, gender, disability
Decide the academic calendar
Share information with the appropriate government as required
Ensure provision of unaided education
Ensure teachers attend school regularly and punctually
Ensure that the curriculum is implemented
Provide infrastructure including school building, equipment
Ensure admission of children of migrant families
Section 32 — Grievance Redressal
Grievance Resolution Process
The local authority is the first-tier grievance resolver under Section 32. Here is the full escalation path from complaint to enforcement.
Written Complaint to Local Authority
Submit anytimeOutcome:Decision within 3 months (Section 32(2))
Appeal to State Commission for Child Rights
If local authority doesn't respond in 3 months, or gives unsatisfactory decisionOutcome:SCPCR can direct local authority action, recommend FIR, take suo motu cognizance
Escalate to NCPCR
If SCPCR is unresponsiveOutcome:NCPCR can review safeguards, make recommendations, and take suo motu action
High Court Writ Petition
For unresolved cases where fundamental right is at stakeOutcome:Court can direct specific government action with a timeline
"A local authority that does not maintain child records (Section 9(d)) or does not resolve complaints within 3 months (Section 32(2)) is in direct violation of the Act."
Tracking accountability on the ground
Mahadev Maitri Foundation monitors RTE Act compliance at the local level and supports communities in engaging with government officials on their statutory duties.