The Right to Education

The 64th Independence Day added yet another chapter to the pages of history of India with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stressing on the need for positive dialogue with Pakistan to restore peace in both the nations and rehabilitation of the tribals in the Naxalite affected areas. Efforts to curb the turmoil in the north-east regions, contain the inflation rate and the betterment of the agricultural sector also formed a part of the agenda undertaken by the government. Similarly the passing of the ‘Right to Education’ brings sanguine hope for the underprivileged classes of the society.

According to this Act all the children from 6-14 years of age have the right to receive free and fair education for 8 years. In case of schools outside the villages, the government has proposed to provide transport facilities to the children for unhindered access to education and learning. The mid-day meal scheme has also proved to be successful in luring the children to attend school.

Education and learning paves the way for empowerment and enrichment of the individual. It serves as ambrosia for one’s soul. Despite the continued efforts by the government, the underprivileged sections of the society still remains deprived of their basic fundamental right to education and learning. The government’s efforts will reap benefits only with the serious practice of this Act. The inevitable, poignant tales of caste and class discrimination has jeopardized the institution of education as well.

An 11 year old meritorious student committed suicide after she was forced to clean the toilets of the government school because of her inability to pay the school fees. The constant teasing by her classmates further aggravated her condition, compelling her to take this drastic step. On another occasion, the headmistress of the school inflicted injuries on 11 children by burning their hands, necks and legs with wood from the grate. Later she threatened the children with dire consequences to prevent them from spilling the beans. The country is not alien to the treatment of Dalits in schools and society where they are still considered to be ‘untouchables’. The government’s efforts to encourage education will prove to be futile against the backdrop of such ghastly social set-up. Such horrendous and barbaric activities will demotivate the children from going to schools.

The reigns of educational institutions should be given into the hands of rational, intelligent and wise people. Proper education and guidance inculcates confidence, sound temperament and good analytical skills in the individual. It is unfair to segregate and deprive people from their fundamental rights on the basis of their caste or class. No Act or Bill can purge the society of its ills until there is change in the mindset of the people practicing prejudice and discrimination against their own countrymen.

Education is not a preserve of the rich. The importance and contribution of education lies in the individual as well as the national context. It is our duty to prevent the ‘Right to Education’ Act from being gratuitous and redundant in the society.

~ Priyata Khushbu