Sir,
The recent clearing of RTE Bill (right of children to free and compulsory education (amendment ) bill by Parliament making it possible for differently disabled children such as suffering from Celebral Palsy, mental retardation, autism etc to receive home based education, is one more step in making the right to education a reality for Indian children.
Millions of children especially belonging to the most marginalized and disadvantaged families and those disabled due to one reason or the other are still out of school even in the 21st century.
According to an estimate, about 28 million children are working as labourers in India. Delhi alone has 51,000 street children who have no access to elementary education. Millions of children in terrorism and naxalism affected areas too are out of school. The recent judgement by the Supreme Court of India, making it mandatory for the Government, local bodies and private schools to reserve 25 percent of their seats for the students belonging to weaker sections, has come as a boon to such children who have never been to school. RTE Act is an opportunity to break gender, caste and class barriers by providing each and every child equal opportunity in education regardless of their status, gender, caste, class by right and by law. The Act envisages admission of students from weaker sections in Pre-school or class land with new children entering in the school each successive year, the school will have a more diverse population spread across all classes. At this is sure to cause healthy social bonds between the children hailing from weaker families and those from well off families.
Some private schools have expressed apprehensions about implementation of some provisions of the Act. But it must be kept in mind that money making should not be the only objective of any organization. Social responsibility and function also need to be given due consideration. It is in this context that philanthropic individuals, charitable trusts and Corporate Houses must come forward and make their effective contribution in the proper implementation of the Act. The Government of J and K too should realize the significance of the RTE Act and take measures such as recruitment of more teachers, provision of infrastructural facilities such as good classrooms, toilets, clean drinking water, conducive environment, proper training and motivation to the teachers for bringing out a radical improvement proper training and motivation to the teachers for bringingout a radical improvement in the functioning of Government schools. If implemented in letter and spirit, the Act will help in the enrichment of the school community and social integration which are so vital in the modern times. Hope all those responsible for implementation of the RTE Act will think about the children of lesser Gods and see to it that they get quality education at par with other children.
Yours etc….
Ashok Sharma
Govt Hr Sec School
Barolla (Udhampur)
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