Section 14 of The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
- (1)For the purposes of admission to elementary education, the age of a child shall be determined on the basis of the birth certificate issued in accordance with the provisions of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1886 (6 of 1886) or on the basis of such other document, as may be prescribed.
- (2)No child shall be denied admission in a school for lack of age proof.
Summary
- The age of a child for admission to elementary school must be determined on the basis of a birth certificate.
- If a birth certificate is not available, the age can be decided using other official documents prescribed by government rules.
- A school is strictly forbidden from denying admission to any child simply because they do not have proof of age.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can a child be refused school entry if they have no birth certificate under Section 14 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009?
No, under Section 14 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, no child shall be denied admission in a school for lack of age proof, and a birth certificate is not mandatory to secure entry.
2. Which old law is mentioned for birth certificates under Section 14 of the Right to Education Act?
Under Section 14 of the Right to Education Act, birth certificates issued in accordance with the provisions of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1886, are used to determine a child's age.
3. What documents other than a birth certificate can be used to prove age under Section 14 of the 2009 education law?
Under Section 14 of the 2009 education law, the child's age can also be determined on the basis of such other documents as may be prescribed by the rules made under this Act.
4. Does the school have the right to delay admission while parents search for age proof under Section 14 of the free education Act?
No, under Section 14 of the free education Act, because no child can be denied admission for lack of age proof, the school must admit the child immediately rather than holding up or delaying the process.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 14 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, what is the primary legal document mentioned for determining a child's age for school admission?
Q2.Under Section 14 of the Right to Education Act, what happens if a parent is unable to produce any document proving their child's age?
Q3.Under Section 14 of this Indian education law, who is responsible for prescribing alternative documents for age verification if a birth certificate is missing?
Q4.Under Section 14 of the 2009 education law, if a school refuses to admit a nine year old girl because her family has no papers to prove her birth date, what is the status of the school's action?