Right to Education Act

Education is one of the many things that can develop a nation in a big way. Education gives the people of the nation a life to live. Unfortunately, in our country, education has been limited only to those people with a strong economical background. And since, the majority of the nation is lingering in poverty; education for all was not being possible.

The Right to Education Act – A brief history

In the year 2005, a rough draft of this bill was composed. But because of its specification to give 25 percent reservation to disadvantaged children, it received huge opposition. As a reply, the drafting committee pressed the point that this provision was a very imperative move to create a democratic as well as educated society.

This education bill was approved by the cabinet in 2009. It received Presidential approval and was notified in the law as ‘The Children’s Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act.’

The insides of the RTE Act

Highlights of the act:

·         This act makes education compulsory to every child between the ages of 6 and 14.

·         Under this act, every private school should reserve 25 percent of the seats to underprivileged and economically backward children.

·         Donations, capitation fees or interviews of the child or the parents are prohibited in the school admissions.

·         And also, those schools that are unrecognized by the government don’t come under this act.

A few facts of the RTE Act:

·         The RTE Act is the first of its kind in the world where it is the government’s responsibility to ensure equal and compulsory education for all. In most other countries like the US and UK, the responsibility of children’s education lies with the parents, and not with the government.

·         When it comes to children under the age of 18 with disabilities, there is a separate education act for them, known as the ‘Persons with Disabilities Act.’

·         There is a special organization called the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, which is in charge of monitoring and the implementation of the RTE Act.

The RTE Act: Criticism and Analysis

·         Despite its stature and reputation, the RTE act was subject to many controversies and criticisms too. A few of them are as under.

·         Many educationalists put forth that the act was drafted hastily; just for namesake. It was designed without the consultation of various educational groups. There have also been statements like the quality of education was not taken into consideration while drafting the act.

·         Most of the schools set up in the rural areas were criticized to be corruption-ridden. And also, there were speculations that the teachers in most government schools resorted to absenteeism. The appointments of particular teachers were politically designed.

·         It has also been noted that around 55 percent of urban children attend private schools, and this rate is growing every year by 3 percent. The reason, as most entrepreneurs feel, is that the children are not attending government schools because the teachers don’t show up.

·         Though the act states the admission of children without any certification, there are many schools under this act in various states which don’t follow this sincerely. Most schools insist the children to produce caste and income certificates, and also birth certificates. Because of this, orphans are unable to get admissions into schools. The government was questioned regarding this issue, if any changes were being made, but the government’s reply was just silence.

Various sociologists and educationalists have analysed the RTE Act. And what they have come up with is not at all supportive to the idea of development. Their analysis and statements show clearly the carelessness of the government in the amendments made to the RTE Act. The analysis is as follows:

·         Providing quality education is one of the main objectives that come under the RTE Act. Unfortunately, the very education in the government schools is of serious concern. Over the years, the educational standards in government schools have been going down drastically.

·         When it comes to the enrolment and admissions, there has been considerable nationwide progress. But, the number of students attending classes in the government schools is falling at the same rate too. One of the findings of the analysts is that in spite of lack of staff in most government schools, teachers remain absent. The attendance of teachers is directly proportionate to the quality of education, which is missing in most of the government schools.

·         Despite the large number of enrolments of children, over 50 percent of the students of 5th grade lack the basic knowledge and skills that are expected in a 2nd grade student. Haven’t all these things come under the notice of the government? If yes, doesn’t the RTE act have the power to make the required corrections?

·         As already said, the RTE act directs all the schools to reserve 25 percent of seats to the economically backward and underprivileged children. And it is obvious that this will change the classroom structure. Analysis says that the present Indian scene of mixed and diversified classroom is not at all encouraging. The children from the weaker sections of the society are discriminated within the classroom itself, on the basis of caste, creed and ethnicity. Though our Indian constitution prohibits discrimination on various grounds and marks it as a punishable offence, discrimination is still happening in classrooms, as a result of the RTE act.

Conclusion:

Education is the basic and a very important right of every Indian citizen. And when more than two-thirds of the nation’s populace doesn’t have access to proper and quality education, we can just see where our nation is heading. We have seen the criticisms and the analysis the RTE act had faced and undergone. The question here is, will this act help in achieving the national education mission, that is, education for all? Will there be a hundred percent literacy rate in our country?

There are many fears regarding the 25 percent seat allotment for the children from the weaker sections. By doing this, the government has justified the poor quality of education in government schools. One more glitch in the RTE act is that will the children who are enrolled in private schools will be able to cope up and adjust with the standards of education culture in elite schools.

To put in a single line, the RTE act is more of a collection of loopholes in regard to quality education and funding, teacher availability and skills and discrimination. And will this act help in achieving national educational mission? Definitely not, if the loopholes remain loopholes. There should be quality education on the government schools also. Teachers should be appointed on merit basis, not politically or on the basis of relation. Strict punishments should be issued for teacher absenteeism. Above all, discrimination on any social basis should be completely abolished. Only after all these things happen, RTE act can really and completely be successful in our country.

Important Current Affairs Question for Civil Services Exam (pre) 2013- Part 15

451. Which of these is not a greenhouse gas?

a) Carbon Dioxide

b) Methane

c) Hydrogen

d) Nitrous Oxide

Answer. (c)

452. The Tongariro Volcano in Mount Tongariro at Tongariro National Park, New Zealand erupted on 21 November 2012. This was which kind of a volcano?

a) Shield Volcano

b) Cinder Cones

c) Compound Volcano

d) Composite Volcano

Answer. (c)

453. The Mantle comprises of thick molten rock. What is this thick molten rock called?

a) Crust

b) Lava

c) Core

d) Magma

Answer. (d) 

454. Gases that come out from the volcano provides a potential threat to the people, animal and agriculture as well as property of the people residing in the nearby area of the volcano. The gases released from the volcano contains gases like sulphur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride and carbon dioxide in huge amount, which pollutes the air in the atmosphere. Which of the following gas causes acid rain?

a) Hydrogen Fluoride

b) Carbon Dioxide

c) Helium

d) Sulphur Dioxide

Answer. (d)

455. Researchers fabricated an all-new paperthin bullet-proof super material, which has the capability to self-assemble into alternating rubbery as well as glassy layers. The nano-material has the ability to translate into the safety beyond the vests. These technological advancements could be used for protective coating for the jet engine turbine blades as well as the satellites. Name the institute from which the researchers and scientists belong to?

a) University of Edinburgh and Rice University

b) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Rice University

c) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of Edinburgh

d) Rice University and University of Sterling

Answer. (b) 

456. Australia on 22 November 2012 approved the plan to save an ailing river system. What is the name of this ailing river system?

a) Murray-Darling Basin River System

b) Cooper Creek- Darling Basin River System

c) Murrumbidgee - Murray Basin River System

d) Flinders- Cooper Creek Basin River System

Answer. (a) 

457. Which is the third brightest object in the sky after sun and moon?

a) Venus

b) International Space Station (ISS)

c) Saturn

d) None of these

Answer. (b) 

458. Scientists on 8 November 2012 revealed about the discovery of a special type of bacteria in the Ocean with abilities of combining together for the formation of the long conducting nano wire cable for transportation of electrons and capturing the oxygen available at the surface for carrying out the metabolic activities. What is the live wire made up of?

a) Living neurons

b) Living bacteria cells

c) Living biological cells

d) None of these

Answer. (c) 

459. Which of the following statements are true?

a) The Solar Eclipse occur when the moon crosses between the Sun and the Earth blocking the sun completely or partially.

b) The Solar Eclipse can occur only on the day of a new moon when, the sun and the moon lies in conjunction to each other when seen from the earth.

c) Statements a and b are true.

d) None of the statements is true.

Answer. (c) 

460. Researchers of University of Edinburgh discovered a new gene known as miR-941, which explains the evolution of humans from the chimpanzees. Which of the following statements is true in this context?

a) The gene is found only in human beings.

b) The gene is found in humans and apes.

c) The gene could be used for knowing how humans learnt the usage of languages as well as tools.

d) Statements (a) and (c) are true.

Answer. (d) 

461. Which of the following statement/statements is/are true?

a) Rheumatoid arthritis affects various organs.

b) Rheumatoid arthritis affects tissues, various organs as well as joints.

c) Both (a) and (b) are true.

d) Only (b) is true.

Answer. (c) 

462. A study led by Scientist and Evolutionary  Anthropologist, Dean Falk of Florida State University revealed in the Month of October that a Physicist’s brain had an "extraordinary" prefrontal cortex - unlike those of most people which may have contributed to his remarkable genius. What is the name of this physicist?

a) Stephen Hawking

b) Charles Darwin

c) Sir Issac Newton

d) Albert Einstein

Answer. (d)

463. Researchers from Stanford who were led by the scientists of Indian origin, in the third week of November 2012 claimed the development of fastest as well as most reliable mathematical algorithm which can help the disabled trick the computer cursors. The computer cursors could be controlled with the help of which mechanism?

a) Thoughts

b) Sight

c) Smell

d) Touch

Answer. (a) 

464. Name the cricketer who won South-African Sportsman of the Year 2012 award?

a) Vernon Philander

b) Hashim Amla

c) AB de Villiers

d) Robin Peterson

Answer. (a) 

465. Name the nation that won Asian Kabaddi Championship-2012?

a) India

b) Pakistan

c) Bangladesh

d) Japan

Answer. (b) 

466. Recently the Indian Cricket Captain and right handed wicket-keeper batsman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni renamed his Superbike Championship Team. What was the previous name of his racing team and it has been changed to?

a) MSD R-N Racing Team India to Mahi Racing Team India

b) MSD Racing Team India to MSD R-N Racing Team India

c) MSD Mahi Racing Team India to Mahi Racing Team India

d) Mahi Racing Team India to Mahi MSD Racing Team India

Answer. (a) 

467. Name the Indian Cricketer who was chosen for the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Polly Umrigar award for being India's top international cricketer in 2011-12.

a) Sachin Tendulkar

b) Virat Kohli

c) M.S. Dhoni

d) Virendra Sehwag

Answer. (b) 

468. Name the Secretary of the Bengal Tennis Association who on 1 November 2012 was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The All India Tennis Association (AITA).

a) Manik Goswami

b) Hironmoy Chatterjee

c) Abhey Singh Chautala

d) Gaganjeet Bhullar

Answer. (b) 

469. Which of the following statements mentioned below is wrong?

a) World champion Kenan Sofouglu and former world champion Fabien Foret are the two new members of Dhoni’s Mahi Racing Team India

b) Pakistan in November 2012 was declared champion of the Asian Kabaddi Championship after Indian team walked out from the field in a protest against the referee’s decision of penalizing the Indian Coach

c) The National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (NADDP) in November 2012 suspended all the 21 athletes for two years, who were tested positive with methylhexaneamine (MHA) in the run-up of the last Commonwealth Games

d) Indian Tennis Player Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna in November 2012  won their first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title together defeating Pakistan's Aisam- Ul- Haq Qureshi and Netherlands' Jean- Julien Rojer by 7-6(6), 6-3 in the final of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris

i. Statement a, b and c are wrong

ii. Statement a and c are wrong

iii. Statement c is wrong

iv. Statement d is wrong

Answer. (iii) 

470. Name the defeated the Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna in the Men's Doubles title clash of the ATP World Tour Finals in London in November 2012?

a) Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez

b) Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan

c) Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski

d) Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins

Answer. (a) 

471. Name the players who were nominated IAAF World Athletes of the Year 2012b in men and women sections?

a) Aries Merritt and Allyson Felix

b) Aries Merritt and David Rudisha

c) Valerie Adams and Jessica Ennis

d) Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix

Answer. (d) 

472. Who is the youngest Triple Champion in Formula One History?

a) Sebastian Vettel

b) Jenson Button

c) Fernnando Alonso

d) Michael Schumacher

Answer. (a) 

473. Which the Indian Cricketer on 6 November 2012 received the honorary membership of the Order of Australia?

a) Sachin Tendulkar

b) VVS Laxaman

c) Yuvraj Singh

d) Rahul Dravid

Answer. (a) 

474. Which of the following statements mentioned below is false?

a) Sebastian Vettel of Germany, the Red Bull driver became youngest triple champion in the history of Formula One in November 2012 by finishing 6th behind Jenson Button in the Brazilian Grand Prix

b) Usain Bolt won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year Award 2012 for the fourth time and British heptathlete Jessica Ennis won women's World Athlete of the Year Award 2012

c) Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek created a history by his name after winning the Davis Cup final 2012 as he became the first man ever aged 30 or above to win the decisive rubber in 100 years

d) Daimler, the German Luxury Carmaker purchased 40 percent stakes of the Mercedes Formula One Motor Racing Team owned by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Aabar Investments in the third week of November 2012

i. Statement a, b and c are false

ii. Statement a is false

iii. Statement b is false

iv. Statement c is false

Answer. (iii) 

475. Which of the following statements mentioned below is true?

a) M. Mahalakshmi and R. Vaishali from Chennai in November 2012 won Gold at the World Youth Chess Championship in Slovenia

b) The Czech Republic in November 2012 won the 101st Davis Cup 2012 finals, after defeating Spain by 3-2 in the finals

c) The Czech Republic lifted the Davis Cup for the third time after winning independence in 1993

d) Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the female Weightlifter from India won three bronze medals for Indian Team on the opening day of the 19th Junior Women Asian Weightlifting Championships in Yangon in Mynamar

i. Statement a and b are true

ii. Statement  b and c are true

iii. Statement a and d are true

iv. All the statements are true

Answer. (iii) 

476. Name the German Luxury Carmaker which had purchased 40 percent stakes of the Mercedes Formula One Motor Racing Team?

a) Mercedes

b) Daimler

c) Volkswagen

d) Porsche

Answer. (b) 

477. Which of the following statements are true?

a) The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in November 2012 appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari as the Coach of Brazilian Football team

b) West Indies won the Bangladesh Test Series by 2-0

c) WADA Proposed Four-Year Ban for Felony Athletes under New WADA Code

d) Marcel Granollers & Marc Lopez won the ATP World Tour Final 2012

i. All the statements are true

ii. Statement a, b and c are true

iii. Statement a, b and d are true

iv. Statement a is true

Answer. (i) 

478. Which anti doping agency Proposed Four-Year Ban for Felony Athletes under New Code?

a) WADA(World Anti-Doping Agency)

b) United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)

c) Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority

d) Indian Anti Doping Agency

Answer. (a) 

479. Scientists in the last week of November 2012 developed a new drug for stopping the cancerous cells from multiplying. The new drug compels the cancerous cells to sleep which in turn stops them in multiplying. The drug is said to trick the tumours for becoming inactive by swapping the molecular switches in cancer structure so that there is no multiplication of the cancerous cells. What is the name of this drug?

a) Letrozole

b) Mitomycin

c) Cyclophosphamide

d) Aflibercept

Answer: (d) 

480. Astronomers claimed that they have discovered the biggest ever black hole in the small galaxy which is situated around 250 million light years away from our planet. This galaxy constitutes the mass equal to 17 billion suns. The biggest ever black hole sits in the Perseus constellation. What is the name of this galaxy in which the black hole sits?

a) Milky Way

b) Cartwheel Galaxy

c) NGC 1277 galaxy

d) Mayall’s Object Galaxy

Answer: (c) 

481 The temperature variations at the shallow levels under the surface of Earth are influenced by the _________. Fill in the blank with an appropriate option.

a) Topography

b) Geography

c) Both of these

d) None of these

Answer: (a) 

482. Software engineers as well as neuroscientists at University of Waterloo, Canada claimed that they have developed a closest model of the functioning human brain. What is this artificial human brain called?

a) AbioCor

b) Bioartificial

c) i-Limb

d) Spaun

Answer: (d) 

483. Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturer claimed that a new missile was tested which can permanently blackout the electronics of the country without causing any harm to people. What is the name of this missile?

a) CHAMP

b) Mathago

c) Ikara

d) ERYX

Answer: (a) 

484. Apple, on 7 December 2012 launched two new devices. Which are these two devices?

a) iPad 2 and fourth generation iPad

b) iPad mini and iPhone 5

c) iPad mini and fourth generation iPad

d) iPhone 5 and fourth generation iPad

Answer: (c) 

485. Wipro Consumer Care and Lightning (WCCL) on 8 December 2012 acquired the Singapore-based FMCG Company for 790 Crore Rupees. What is the name of this company?

a) LD Waxson

b) Unza

c) Woods of Windsor

d) Aramusk

Answer: (a) 

486. Suresh Vaswani, the former co-CEO of Wipro was appointed as the President of Dell Services, the computer-maker, on 6 December 2012. Which of the following statements is true in this context?

a) Before being promoted to the position of Dell’s president, Vaswani was also the head of application services as well as BPO segment of Dell.

b) In 2011, Vaswani exited from Wipro where he had spent 25 years.

c) Vaswani reported to Schuckenbrock, the former President of Dell.

d) All the three statements are true.

Answer: (d) 

487. Adani Mining, a global integrated infrastructure player on 3 December 2012 announced completion of the largest mining exploration programme in Australia in a record time. How much time did the Adani Mining take for the programme?

a) 6 months

b) 9 months

c) 1 year

d) 1.5 years

Answer: (b) 

488. Nokia, one of the giant mobile makers agreed to sell the head quarter building or 222 million US dollar or 170 million Euros on 4 December 2012. The headquarter building is to be bought by Exilion, the Finnish real estate company. Where was the headquarter building of Nokia located?

a) Finland

b) Scotland

c) Denmark

d) California

Answer: (a) 

489. On 4 December 2012, Iran claimed that it had captured the small US drone which had entered its airspace on the Gulf waters. Which of the following statements is not true in context of this news:

a) The Guards' naval force guarding the Iranian assets in the Gulf described the drone as Boeing-made ScanEagle, short-range, propeller-driven inspection vehicle that had a 3-metre wingspan.

b) The naval arm of Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed that the unmanned US drone which was patrolling over the Persian Gulf waters.

c) On 4 December 2011, Iran had claimed that it captured a bigger and more sophisticated CIA secrecy drone which was bat-winged.

d) US, in the meanwhile confirmed that a drone from the fleet was missing.

Answer: (d) 

490. The 11th meeting of the India-Canada Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism was held on 29 November 2012. Where was this meeting held?

a) Bangalore

b) Kolkata

c) New Delhi

d) Mumbai

Answer: (c) 

491. A meeting of the India and Pakistan former diplomats, peace activists, army and navy officers concluded on 3 December 2012 with an agenda that Sir Creek dispute will be resolved. What are the other territorial troubles that sit amidst the India-Pakistan relationship?

a) Siachen

b) Kashmir

c) Both of these

d) None of these

Answer: (c)

492. China held one of its largest- ever air force drill involving multi-types fighter planes, amid heightened tensions with Japan over territorial dispute in the East China Sea. How many fighter planes were involved in the drill?

a) 200

b) 1000

c) 100

d) 500

Answer: (c) 

493. Who was the first top ranking Indian official to visit China after changes in Communist Party of China?

a) Anand Sharma

b) Ajit Singh

c) Shiv Shankar Menon

d) Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna

Answer: (c) 

494. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the India Olympic Association (IOA) on 4 December 2012 and eventually this might also lead to IOA ban from Olympic movement. Which of these statements is true in context to this news?

a) IOC suspended IOA because India was following the Sports Code of government in the IOA elections, which is against the Olympic Charter.

b) Suspension of IOA from Olympics came just before the Election Day.

c) Decision of IOC was welcomed by several former as well as current sportspersons.

d) All the above statements are true

Answer: (d) 

495. Name the corporate Hockey team which emerged champion against Bharat Petroleum in the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium on 4 December 2012.

a) Air India

b) Bharti Airtel

c) Reliance Industries

d) Hindustan Petroleum

Answer: (a) Air India

496. Name the England Cricket Captain  who became the youngest Batsman to score 7000 Runs

a) Alastair Cook

b) Kevin Peitersen

c) Daniel Vettori

d) Andrew Strauss

Answer: (a) 

497. Name the Basket player who Became Youngest Player in the History of NBA to Reach 30000 Career Points

a) Andrew Bogut

b) Kobe Bryant

c) Leandro Barbosa

d) Robert Sacre

Answer: (b) 

498. Name the Cricketer and Former Captain of the Australian Cricket team who on 3 December 2012 announced his retirement from International Test Cricket.

a) Ricky Ponting

b) Adam Gilchrist

c) Shane Warne

d) Michael Clarke

Answer: (a) 

499. French scientists claimed that they developed a new system which enables humans to get 360 degree vision. The headset in the system is said to capture the images from different directions and thereafter transform these into the matter which is possible for the human vision system to comprehend. What is the name of this new system?

a) Eidograph

b) FlyVIZ

c) Scoliometer

d) Xylometer

Answer: (b) 

500. Scientists from NASA spotted the longest extra-terrestrial river system ever on Saturn’s moon Titan which appears to be a miniature version of one of the Earth’s rivers. Titan which appears to be a miniature version of which river of Earth?

a) Amazon River

b) Thames River

c) Nile River

d) Rhine River

Answer: (c)