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It is the dream of every child to tuck the books in his or her school bag and go to school every morning. Whether it is a journey through the maze of traffic or through misty rice fields - urban or rural - rich or privileged, it is the dream of all children go to school every morning.
The latest legislation on children's right to free and compulsory Education Act-2009 is not only a brave move, especially in light of the global economic meltdown, but also an instrument that could contribute to reality many a child's dream. An attachment of Rs. 15,000 crore for the year 2010-2011 for the purpose, clearly shows that the government is determined to implement it.
It is undeniably a historic decision and may be said to be a compliment to a global convention on child rights, another iconic decision taken by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989. It also highlights
HISTORY
Children had been a concern since time immemorial. But the first global move to legalize certain rights of children were moved from the
This was followed up by the UN General Assembly passes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the UN adoption of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and finally to the CRC.
In between and after, there were many supporting acts and protocols and international conventions on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, the ILO's historical article about the minimum age for employment, the International Year of the Child (1979) and the Additional Protocols to the Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflicts and the sale of children for prostitution and child pornography in 2000, only to 'make a world fit for children'.
This law has a history embedded in drafting the Indian Constitution at the time of
It could not be implemented because, as the amendment calling for a legislation to set mode of implementation through a separate bill.
The draft of 2005 was opposed because of the mandatory provision of 25 per cent reservation for disadvantaged children in private schools. After much discussion it was approved by Cabinet in November 2008 and adopted in 2009 and implemented from 1 April 2010.
Implementation of children's right to free and compulsory education Act, 2009 clearly shows that a child without education and free speech can not evolve. Education is a universal dream, and 6-14 years, as specified by law, the age for seeding transformative opportunities for all children.
The very essence of the law shows that children are rights-holder and not just objects of charity.
Minister for Human Resource Development Kepi Sibal said that the law will make elementary education free and compulsory for all, and around 1 crore children from less privileged sector would benefit. But while he noted that it was the responsibility of all parties concerned to enforce it.
Apart from the three branches of government officers, would parliamentary and judiciary, the other stakeholders in the private sector, media, religious leaders, parents and guardians and the NGOs. "The success of the law depends on the sheer cooperation between the government and the above-mentioned stakeholders," said Director of Condor Mohammed Abdullah. Condor has adopted a school
As per the law, private educational institutions should reserve 25 percent of seats for children from weaker section. It also defines an element of fee reimbursement to schools.
CHALLENGES
The law goes beyond simply providing free and compulsory education to include high-quality education for all. "But it would be the first challenge.
Quality is an integral part of the law and the quality comes with infrastructure development. Infrastructure includes things like buildings, laboratories, core facilities and libraries, and quality teachers. No amount of software and technology can replace teachers in the flesh and blood. It is undoubtedly a landmark Act, but its success depends on its implementation.
Success also depends on the prospects for the interested parties.
The private schools should welcome it openly, the parents of the vulnerable children encourage children to attend school and discourage apostasy, NGOs should make the intervention work and religious leaders should develop a positive outlook, "says the director of Sri Parkas Educational Institutions Vasu Prakash.
Abdullah added: "The implementation is in the formative stage, and some other things as reimbursement module (how, when and how much) and the status of less privileged and disadvantaged must be clearly defined."
"With all its challenges, it is still a historic decision. If every Indian get educated, then 'Brand
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