Free Pre-School Education for Children in West Bengal
School Education, Admission, RTE
GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL
School Education Department
No. 1114-SE(Law)/S/1A-01/09-3rd July, 2012
NOTIFICATION
WHEREAS Section 11 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (35 of 2009) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act) provides that with a view to prepare children above the age of three years for elementary education and to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years, the appropriate Government may make necessary arrangement for providing free pre-school education for such children;
AND WHEREAS the Governor has considered it necessary and expedient to do so;
NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (2) of Section 35 of the Act, the Governor is pleased hereby to direct that it shall be mandatory for all authorities of a Primary school within the State of West Bengal coming under the purview of items (i) and (ii) of clause (n) of Section 2 of the said Act to comply with the provisions of Section 11 of the said Act;
The Governor is further pleased to direct that an additional unit shall be opened in each of the Primary schools within the State of West Bengal coming under the purview of items (i) and (ii) of clause (n) of section 2 of the said Act for the children whose age is in between 5 years and above but below 6 years as on the 1st day of the every academic session starting from 2013. The additional unit will be known as Pre-Primary class.
The Governor is further pleased to direct that the existing teachers of the concerned schools shall impart learning in pre-primary class as well.
The Governor is further pleased to direct that the children belonging to the concerned neighbourhood of the respective school of age in between 5 years and above but below 6 years as on the 1st day of the academic session shall be admitted to the additional unit for pre-primary class. In case the number of applicants is more than its capacity, lottery shall be drawn in presence of the guardians of the applicants for admission. Under no circumstances, any type of admission test of the children or screening test for the guardians shall be made. The Head of the Institution found contravening the provisions shall be liable to disciplinary proceedings by the appropriate authority.
Governor is further pleased to direct that from the academic session 2013 all admission to class I in all primary schools should be on completion the age of 6 years as on 1st day of January of the corresponding academic year. The admission will be from the pre-primary unit of the same school or in case of availability of more seats by drawing of lots in presence of the guardian of the student. No screening or admission test will be held under any circumstances. However, until such pre-primary classes are started for the academic year 2013, the students to be admitted in class I in that year will be through drawal of lots. In case the number of applicants exceed the number of seats available in the school admission shall be subject to the procedure for such conduct of lottery as circulated under this Department no. 628-SE(P)/10M-186/2010 dt 12.10.2011, 1435-(59)-SE(P)/5S-116/10(Pt-I) and 1480-SL/5S-116/2010 (Pt-1) District 09.12.2011.
The West Bengal Board of Primary Education with the advice of the Expert Committee shall prepare syllabus and curriculum for pre-primary course for the children between the age of 5 years and above but below 6 years as on the 1st day of the academic session.
By the order of the Governor,
Sd/- VIKRAM SEN
Pr. Secy. to the Govt. of West Bengal.