India pledges right to education for all (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - Millions of children across India will now get free and compulsory education up to class eight as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday empowered the nation by enforcing Right to Education as a fundamental right.

“Today our government comes before you to pledge all our children elementary education. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act enacted by parliament in August, 2009 comes into force today (Thursday),” the prime minister said in his early morning address to the nation delivered both in Hindi and English.

“The fundamental right to education as incorporated in our constitution through Article 21 (A) has also become operative from today.”

“This demonstrates our national commitment to the education of our children and to the future of India. We are a nation of young people. Education will determine the well being of our nation. Education is the key to progress. It empowers the individuals. If we nurture our children through right to education then India’s future is secured,” Singh, a strong proponent of the measure, said.

The act promises 10 broad objectives including free and compulsory education to all children in the 6-14 age group. This means millions of children will now get education at least up to class eight. Currently, in India, nearly 200 million children in the 6-14 age group are in schools while nearly 8.1 million do not go to schools. This act is expected to benefit all of them in a large way.

Other than free and compulsory education, the act speaks of quality education, focus on social responsibility like reservation in private schools, the obligation of teachers and de-bureaucratisation of admissions. Lack of educational access was seen as a major impediment to growth and development of the county in its march towards modernity and progress that measures upto global standards.

The “national effort”, as termed by the prime minister, seeks to create conducive educational atmosphere for physically handicapped children. It also emphasizes to make learning student-oriented rather than teacher- and classroom-oriented.

He said the act would also focus on education of “girls, dalits, adivasis, and minorities”.

The prime minister said: “We are committed that all children irrespective of gender and social category have access to education. Education enables them to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitude to become responsible citizens of India.”

Giving his own example on how education has shaped his future, Manmohan Singh said: “I was born to a family of modest means. In my childhood, I 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 also appealed to all Indians to dream big. “I want every Indian child to dream and touched by the light to education. I want every Indian to dream of a better future. Let us together pledge this act to the children

of India … to all young men and women, to the future of our nation.”

Urging all stakeholders to join hands to make this initiative a success, he said: “I call upon all stakeholders to join in this national effort with full determination. Our government in partnership with state governments will ensure that financial constraints do not have adverse impact in the implementation of right to education act.”

Talking about the role of teachers, the prime minister said quality of education depends on the ability of teachers and “the right to education is no exception”.

“I call upon teachers across the country to become partners in this effort,” he said underlining the need to “improve the working condition of our teachers”.

He said teachers must teach with dignity and help students give full expression to their talent and creativity. Parents and guardians too have a critical role to play in school management responsibilities.