Brief on Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009

Basic literacy and numeracy is now an integral part of social life and without it the human beings will not be able to perform even basic functions. The literacy and numeracy that can sustain for long periods can only be imparted through universal elementary education.

The wide ranging benefits of Elementary Education from contribution to economic growth, overcoming economic and social inequalities, empowerment, reduction of population growth.

This has weighed heavily on the inclusion of right to education in economic and social declarations of 1990s and the evolution of a consensual view of elementary education as a fundamental right.

Right to free and compulsory education to all the children till they attain 14 years of age as a directive principle was an illusive goal for a long time in post independent India. However, with growing awareness among the poor on the importance of education the demand for education increased especially since the 1980s and gained momentum in the 1990s.

The voice of the poor got legitimized when the Supreme Court of India in 1993 gave a verdict to incorporate the right to education as a fundamental right of children. Finally in August 2009 the parliament gave its approval. The state was to provide education to children aged between 6 to 14 years without any discrimination on the basis of caste, religion or gender under the act. It also makes education free in order to give equal opportunity to all the children.

Under the act……..:

The act also mentions that each child is given an age appropriate education. The Act also ensures that the State should facilitate the completion of elementary education and clearly directs that no child shall be held back.

It lays down strict criteria for the qualification of teachers. School teachers will need an adequate professional degree for the job. It strictly prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment of children.Its objective is to make a child free from fear, trauma and anxiety and emphasizes on comprehensive education

Success of the act:

For the successful completion of the Act of elementary education, it emphasizes on the quality of the education and its improvement. School infrastructure is to be improved in three years, else recognition is cancelled. The financial burden will be shared between the Central and State government on the basis of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Responsibility:

For monitoring the implementation of RTE and grievance Redressal, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) at the centre and SCPCR at the state level has been assigned with the responsibility. So, through the Act the children get a compulsory education which leads to the increase in the literacy rate of the Nation and the development of the country.

By

Sreelaya Smiley

sreelaya8-at-gmail.com