Report No. 165

2. Definition.-

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "approved school" means any school in any specified area within the jurisdiction of a local authority imparting elementary education which

(i) is under the management of the Central Government, State Government or the local authority, or

(ii) being under any other management, is recognised by the local authority for the purposes of this Act and receives aid from Government funds for running the school, or

(iii) being under any other management, is recognised by the local authority for the purposes of this Act and has received substantial aid from Government funds in setting up or expanding the school;

(b) "appropriate government" means the State Government in the case of States mentioned in Part I of the First Schedule to the Constitution and in the case of Union Territories mentioned in Part II of the First Schedule to the Constitution, the 'Government of India';

(c) "attendance authority" means the Panchayat or local authority concerned or any other:. authority as may be prescribed;

(d) "attendance at an approved school" means presence for instruction at a school imparting elementary education for such number of days, and on such days in a year, and at such time or times on each day of attendance, as may be prescribed;

(e) "child" means a boy or girl within such age group not being less than six or more than fourteen;

(f) "competent authority" means the Director of Education of the Government or such other authority as may be specified by the Government;

(g) "compulsory education" means and implies an obligation on Government to take all steps to ensure that every child is enrolled and retained till the prescribed level of education in a school imparting the prescribed courses of study and the steps taken in that behalf;

(h) "free education" means exemption from the obligation to pay tuition fee or other charges which schools usually collect from pupils in a school. It extends to provision of free supply of text-books, note-books and other study materials and may also include health care and nutrition where the appropriate Government so declares by rules tinder the Act;

(i) "guardian" means any person to whom the care, nurture or custody of any child falls by law or by natural rights or by recognised usage, or who has accepted or assumed the care, nurture or custody of any child or to whom the care, nurture or custody of any child has been entrusted by any lawful authority;

(j) "parent" means the father or mother of a child and includes an adoptive father or mother;

(k) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(l) "recognised school" means a school recognised by the competent authority or recognised by or affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education or other like public education authority;

(m) "school" means a centre for imparting education to children of six to fourteen years where the strength of the teaching staff is not less than two;

(n) "school age" in relation to a child means being not less than six years or not more than fourteen;

(o) "special school" means any institution which imparts such education as in the opinion of the Government is suitable for children suffering from any physical or mental defect; and

(p) "year" means the academic year as specified by the government.