Right to Education: Bridging the accessibility gap at IIMB

Abstract

Since Independence, successive Indian governments have put providing universal education as one of the main objectives. This has resulted in formation of several policy and financial interventions over the last several decades. Article 21-A was inserted in the Constitution of India under the Constitution (Eighty-Sixth Amendment) Act,2002. This article makes free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of six to fourteen years a fundamental right in such a manner as the State may, by law, determine. Right to Education (RTE) was enacted on 4 August 2009 as an Act of Parliament of India to describe the modalities of free and compulsory education as established by article 21-A of the Constitution. This act came into effect on 1 April 2010. Free and Compulsory are two important words in this act. Free education means no child is liable to pay any fees or expenses or charges which may prevent him or her from pursuing elementary education in a school supported by Government. Compulsory means the obligation is on the Government and local authorities to provide elementary education to all children in 6-14 age group. The act also lays down the norms and standards to ensure that a specified pupil-teacher ratio is maintained overall and for each school, infrastructure in schools, community participation, inclusivity and many other such things. This act prohibits physical punishment, screening procedure of students and parents for admission to school, private tuition by Government school teachers and many other things which can hamper all-round development of child1 .