Right to Education comes into force, PM asks states to help

New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) The historic Right to Education
law, providing free and compulsory schooling to children in
the 6-14 year age bracket, Thursday came into force with
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking the states to join
in this national effort with full resolve and determination.
The new statute makes it obligatory on part of the state
governments and local bodies to ensure that every child gets
education in a school in the neighbourhood. Its implementation
will directly benefit close to one crore children who do not
go to schools at present.
Addressing the nation on the occasion, the Prime
Minister said, "The government is committed to ensuring that
all children irrespective of gender and social category, have
access to education.
"Our government, in partnership with state governments,
will ensure that financial constraints do not hamper the
implementation of the Right to Education Act," he said.
The 86th Constitutional amendment making education a
fundamental right was passed by Parliament in 2002. The Right
of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, a law to
enable the implementation of the fundamental right, was passed
by Parliament last year. Both the Constitutional amendment and
the new law came into force from today.
Adding a personal touch to the importance of education,
the Prime Minister recalled his own childhood days as someone
born in a family of modest means who had to walk a long
distance to go to school. "I read under the dim light of a
kerosene lamp. I am what I am today because of education," he
said.
"I want every Indian child, girl and boy, to be so
touched by the light of education. I want every Indian to
dream of a better future and live that dream", Singh said.
Recalling the desire of Gopal Krishna Gokhale about 100
years ago when he had urged the Imperial Assembly to confer on
the Indian people the Right to Education, Singh said about 90
years later the Constitution was amended to enshrine the Right
to Education as a fundamental right.
"Today, our government comes before you to redeem the
pledge of giving all our children the right to elementary
education," Singh said, adding "this demonstrates our national
commitment to the education of our children and to the future
of India."
The children, who have either dropped out from schools or
have never been to any educational institution, will be now
enrolled in schools.
The Right To Education is being touted by the UPA
government as another major achievement after Right To
Information Act and National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
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