Parliament has adopted ‘The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education
Bill, 2009,’ which envisages free and compulsory education to children in the
6-14 age group with the Lok Sabha approving it by voice vote on Tuesday. The
Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on July 20
http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/05/stories/2009080558780100.htm
India passes free education bill
By IANS
http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/India_passes_free_education_bill-nid-60080.html
New Delhi: The Indian parliament has passed a landmark education bill which
seeks to guarantee free and compulsory education for children aged between six
and 14 with the Lok Sabha approving it by voice vote on Tuesday. The Rajya
Sabha passed the Bill on July 20.
Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal termed the Centre's move a
"national enterprise that would help shape India's future." The legislation
would ensure every child's right to education, and the obligation of the
government to impart it. Once the President gave assent to the Bill, getting
education would be a fundamental right of the child.
Replying to the discussion on the landmark legislation, Sibal clarified doubts
on the right of disabled persons, raised by some groups, He said disabled
persons were part of the category of "disadvantaged sections" who would get
reservation. He added that Disability Act, which was part of RTE, was being
amended to include Cerebral Palsy and Autism, and the amendment would
automatically bring in the law?s ambit children with these disabilities.
A doubt, however, remains on the bill not exempting minority institutions from
reservation. MIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi warned it could be challenged in court as
violative of Constitution. Sibal, however, said the minority institutions could
give quota to disadvantaged sections among the minorities.
The RTE would empower the seven-year-old 86th Constitutional amendment that
made free and compulsory education a fundamental right. The RTE Bill sets down
guidelines for states and the Centre to execute and enforce this right.
Earlier, education was part of the directive principles of state policy.
Stressing the need for a big boost to children's education, Sibal said that out
of every 100 children attending elementary school only 12 reached the
graduation level; in Europe it was 50-70 (students reaching college from the
elementary level) and the global average 27. The centre wanted to increase
India's average to 15 by 2012 and to 30-35 by 2020, added Sibal.
On infrastructure, Sibal said that there was a provision for establishing
recognition authority in every State under which all schools would have to
fulfil the minimum requirement of infrastructure within three years. Otherwise,
they would lose recognition. Similarly appointment of teachers had to be
approved by the academic committee, he pointed out.
With Regards
Abi
"It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong."
- Voltaire"
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