September 12, 2026

RTE Act – The Schedule: Norms and Standards for a School

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 — back to Table of Contents

The Schedule

(See sections 19 and 25)

Norms and Standards for a School

1. Number of teachers

(a) For first class to fifth class — Admitted children / Number of teachers: Up to sixty — two; between sixty-one to ninety — three; between ninety-one to one hundred and twenty — four; between one hundred and twenty-one to two hundred — five; above one hundred and fifty children — five plus one Head-teacher; above two hundred children — Pupil-Teacher Ratio (excluding Head-teacher) shall not exceed forty.

(b) For sixth class to eighth class — (1) At least one teacher per class so that there shall be at least one teacher each for (i) Science and Mathematics; (ii) Social Studies; (iii) Languages. (2) At least one teacher for every thirty-five children. (3) Where admission of children is above one hundred — (i) a full time Head-teacher; (ii) part time instructors for (A) Art Education; (B) Health and Physical Education; (C) Work Education.

2. Building

All-weather building consisting of—

(i) at least one class-room for every teacher and an office-cum-store-cum-Head teacher’s room;

(ii) barrier-free access;

(iii) separate toilets for boys and girls;

(iv) safe and adequate drinking water facility to all children;

(v) a kitchen where mid-day meal is cooked in the school;

(vi) Playground;

(vii) arrangements for securing the school building by boundary wall or fencing.

3. Minimum number of working days/instructional hours in an academic year

(i) two hundred working days for first class to fifth class;

(ii) two hundred and twenty working days for sixth class to eighth class;

(iii) eight hundred instructional hours per academic year for first class to fifth class;

(iv) one thousand instructional hours per academic year for sixth class to eighth class.

4. Minimum number of working hours per week for the teacher

Forty-five teaching including preparation hours.

5. Teaching learning equipment

Shall be provided to each class as required.

6. Library

There shall be a library in each school providing newspaper, magazines and books on all subjects, including story-books.

7. Play material, games and sports equipment

Shall be provided to each class as required.