New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today approved the introduction of a Bill in Parliament for carrying out certain amendments to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

The Department of School Education and Literacy received representations from various organizations working for the welfare of the children with disabilities and those who have set up minority institutions, seeking certain amendments to the legislation.

Consequent upon examination of the issues raised in these representations, certain amendments to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 have been approved.

Children with disabilities will now be included within the meaning of 'children belonging to disadvantaged group.'

Providing that children with disabilities as defined in the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 will have special rights to pursue free and compulsory elementary education and the School Management Committee constituted under the Act by aided minority institutions will perform advisory function.

A Bill will be introduced in the Parliament to implement upon these amendments.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 has been enacted by the Parliament to provide free and compulsory education to all children for the age of six to fourteen years.

After receiving the assent of the President, the aforesaid Act was published in the Gazette of India on August 27, 2009.