Education Infrastructure and Education Policy of Rajasthan | RPSC Preparation: All subjects - RPSC RAS (Rajasthan) PDF Download

Educational Policy of Rajasthan

• Education serves as a cornerstone for personal growth, sustainable development, and the cultivation of responsible global citizens.
• The rising significance of the knowledge economy underscores education's crucial role in driving economic growth.
• Understanding the importance of all levels and types of education, whether formal or informal, the Government of Rajasthan promotes a comprehensive approach to education that addresses diverse learning needs.
• According to the 2011 census, Rajasthan's literacy rate significantly increased to 67.06%, up from 38.55% in 1991 and 60.41% in 2001.
• The Rajasthan government has established policies aimed at enhancing literacy rates by developing skilled students who can easily achieve their goals and compete globally.
• The government's policies, rules, and regulations effectively address educational needs comprehensively.
• Rajasthan is rapidly advancing and the Government is working to align its educational standards with the best institutions across India, recognizing that education is a key priority.
• The Government faces challenges with the tribal population, emphasizing the need for quality education to improve literacy and enable fair market value for their goods.
• Consequently, it is imperative for the Government to continue increasing literacy rates.

Policy for Public Private Partnership (PPP) in School Education, 2015

Objective

• The policy has the goal of presenting diverse models for involving Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to enhance the management and operation of existing government schools and to establish new educational institutions. It also aims to create transparent and efficient procedures for selecting private partners for PPP initiatives in schools and to set up a framework for the seamless implementation of PPP projects.

Models for PPP in School Education

Existing Government Schools

• State governments will encourage the management of current government schools by private partners through the following models, based on a first-come, first-serve basis:
• Government will sponsor 100% of the students, who will be charged fees in line with the current fee structure in other government schools.
• Private partners have the flexibility to select any government school within the state.
• State governments will provide free textbooks, mid-day meals, and extend other benefits available to students in government schools without any additional financial burden.

Management of Government Schools through Public-Private Partnership

• Private partners will be chosen to oversee the management of current government schools through a transparent competitive bidding process.
• The government will cover 100% of the students' expenses, with fees aligned with those in other government schools.
• School selection will be the responsibility of the State Government, considering the educational needs of the region.
• The State will reimburse the annual fee per student, determined by the bidding process, for all sponsored students.

New Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Schools

• Introduction of new PPP schools is part of the initiative.
• These schools will follow the same transparent selection process through competitive bidding.
• Students enrolled in these new schools will benefit from the government-sponsored fee structure.
• The State Government will finance the annual fees of students in these schools, as determined through the bidding process.

Establishing New Schools in Rajasthan: Public-Private Partnership Model

• Government's Role in School Selection and Student Sponsorship:
  • The state government of Rajasthan will select private partners through a transparent competitive bidding process to establish new schools in blocks other than Educationally Backward Blocks (EBB).
  • For these schools, the government will sponsor 40% of the students, who will pay fees equivalent to those in other government schools. The remaining 60% will pay fees set by the private partner within legal bounds.
  • School selection by the state government will prioritize regions with educational backwardness.
• Financial Arrangements and Student Fees:
  • The state government will reimburse the per-student annual fee, determined through the bidding process, for all government-sponsored students in these schools.
  • Private partners are required to offer all facilities to government-sponsored students at no extra cost, matching the services provided to fee-paying students.
• Establishment of Schools in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBB):
  • Similar to schools in other blocks, private partners will be chosen through competitive bidding for schools in EBB.
  • For EBB schools, the government will sponsor 100% of the students, who will be charged fees in line with existing government school fee structures.
  • The state government will reimburse the per-student annual fee for all government-sponsored students in these EBB schools.

General Conditions

• State government will ensure that students sponsored by the state receive free textbooks, mid-day meals, and access to other governmental schemes similar to students in government schools.
• The government will not supply teaching, non-teaching, or administrative staff for the school. Instead, the private partner will be responsible for providing staff with the necessary qualifications as per regulations. The government will bear no responsibility for the staff employed by the private partner.
• The private partner will have the authority to determine the school's affiliation and the language of instruction.
• Enrollment of state-sponsored students will adhere to the policies set by the Education Department at different intervals.
• Any not-for-profit organization such as a company, trust, or society registered under various acts can be chosen as a private partner for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the field of school education.
• Both government-sponsored and fee-paying students will receive education together in the same classes.
• The Director of Secondary Education will reassign all existing staff and teachers from schools handed over to private partners to other government schools.

Nodal Agency

• Rajasthan Council of Secondary Education (RCSE) is designated as the Nodal Agency for Public Private Partnership (PPP) in school education. This entails:
• Selection of schools for PPP initiatives.
• Assessment of PPP proposals for approval.
• Identification of suitable land for establishing new schools.
• Conducting the bidding process to select private partners.
• Formalizing agreements with private partners.
• Overseeing the execution of PPP projects in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

• Emphasizing the universalization of elementary education, the Rajasthan government implements the centrally sponsored scheme known as 'Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan'.
• This initiative aims to provide education to children aged between 6-14 years and bridge social, regional, and gender disparities through community involvement in school management.
• The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 has been enforced in the state since April 1, 2010.
• Key actions taken to implement this policy include:
  • The establishment of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR).
  • The State Institute of Educational Research and Training in Udaipur serves as the State Academic Authority for RTE implementation.
  • Formation of a State Advisory Council chaired by the Education Minister to guide the government on RTE Act implementation.
  • Setting up School Management Committees (SMCs) in all Government Primary and Upper Primary Schools, with members receiving necessary training.
  • Reservation of 25% seats in private schools for boys and girls from weaker sections and disadvantaged groups.
  • Introduction of a web portal rte.raj.nic.in for effective monitoring and timely reimbursement to private schools for 25% free admissions as per RTE Act provisions.

Library Awareness Programme

• Efforts are earnestly being undertaken to boost the number of readers, accompanied by a range of complementary activities.
• Library services are accessible to both male and female readers across various age groups.
• Specialized corners within libraries cater to specific demographics, including senior citizens, women, children, and Neo-Literate individuals.
• Selected libraries offer reading facilities tailored for visually impaired users.