The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the right to education Bill to provide compulsory schooling for all children up to 14 years. Steered by HRD minister Kapil Sibal, the Bill acknowledges the critical role education has come to play in the economy. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008, will operationalise the fundamental right mentioned in Article 21-A as part of the 86th amendment of the Constitution. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in November 2008 and was pending clearance from the Lok Sabha.
The discussion on the Bill lasted over two hours in the Lok Sabha and was finally passed in its 2008 form, with the minister saying disabled children would also be included in the category of disadvantaged children and that this would be outlined in the ?model rules?.
The questions raised by the House were the ones discussed earlier and included financial allocation; problems with government schools, including absenteeism of 25% teachers at any point in time; quality of education and parental conditioning for economically backward students, as well as intangible issues such consistency in the attitude of teachers towards children from both economically well-off and disadvantaged classes. Additionally, the question of pre-school for children between the age group of three to six years was also raised and it was suggested by the minister that responsibility for pre-school should rest with the state.
The minister added that the definition of ?neighbourhood schools? would need to be worked out in collaboration with the Centre, state and local authorities, and would differ based on the local eco-system. To a question on minorities, Sibal?s response was that minority schools already exist and the Centre was helping develop more such schools, wherein 50% children from the minority community are admitted. He said these schools could definitely include disadvantaged students as well.
On the issue of financial allocation, the minister pointed out that this Bill was a ?national enterprise? and that state governments would also have to play their part. It was suggested that 75% financial allocation be given by the Centre and 25% by individual states. Sibal said, ?There is no question of insufficient money for implementation of this Bill, which is critical for the country as a whole to move ahead.?
The minister was firm that children attending elementary school would study in a ?no-detention? environment and not be subject to either board exams or corporal punishment. He added that the issue of ?medium of education? would also be looked into. A question was also raised in the House as to why Jammu and Kashmir was not part of the Bill.