Starting this year, all schools in the state will have to issue certificates to all those who have passed Std VIII, stating that they have received compulsory and free education under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2010. A circular was dispatched by the Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training (MSCERT), Pune, on April 26, informing the city schools about the same.u00a0Though the Act — that promises free and compulsory education to children within the age group of 6 to14 — was introduced in 2010, it is only now that the state has started implementing several rules falling under its ambit.

Officialspeak
“From this year onwards, primary schools will have to issue certificates to all those students who pass Std VIII. This certificate must be given along with their results. It is mandatory for all city schools to follow this rule as it falls under the RTE Act, which has been introduced by the centre. However, I cannot comment on the rule’s implementation in schools following boards other than SSC,” said Mirza Baig, BMC education officer, who is in-charge of primary sections of schools.