Parliament Diary

Rajya Sabha took up a discussion on the Statutory Resolution on the Proclamation issued by the President under Article 356 of the Constitution in relation to Jammu and Kashmir.

The National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha. The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on July 23, 2018.

Some key highlights of the Bill:

• The Bill amends the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 which established the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
• The Bill seeks to grant retrospective recognition to institutions
• The Bill also seeks to grant retrospective permission to start a new course or training in teacher education to institutions

The Right of Children to Free and Fair Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017 was also passed by the Upper House. This Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on July 18, 2018.

Some key highlights:

• The Right to Education Act, 2009 prohibits detention of children till they complete elementary education i.e., class 8. The Bill amends this provision to state that a regular examination will be held in class 5 and class 8 at the end of every academic year. 
• If a child fails the exam, he will be given additional instruction, and take a re-examination. If he fails in the re-examination, the relevant central or state government may decide to allow schools to detain the child. 
• Provisions of the Bill regarding assessment and detention are at variance with what most states have demanded. In this context, the question is whether these decisions should be taken by Parliament or left to state legislatures.
• It is unclear as to who will conduct the examination (which may lead to detention): centre, state, or the school.

Lok Sabha remained adjourned for majority of the day.

The Speaker of Lok Sabha suspended several members for willfully disturbing the House under Rule 374A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. These members have been suspended for 4 sitting days.