RIGHT TO EDUCATION

SUBMITTED BY – RITIKA WAHI

ENROLLMENT NO - A3256119077
INTRODUCTION
• The Right to Education Act, which came into force on 1st April, 2010 after 62 years of
independence, has made free and compulsory education a fundamental right of every child in the 6
to 14 age group.
• inserted Article 21-A in the Constitution of India to provide free and compulsory education of all
children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right in such a manner as the
State may, by law, determine.
• The enforcement of this Right has made it a joint responsibility of Central and State Governments
to provide free and compulsory education to all children by all means
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

At the time of Independence, India inherited an educational system which was not only quantitatively small but was also
characterized by striking gender and regional disparities.
• Only one child out of three had been enrolled in primary school. Thus challenge was to provide elementary education.
• Accordingly, universal education for all children in the 6-14 age group became a constitutional provision by Article 45
of the Constitution.
• Government's commitment to ensure elementary education for all children aged 6-14 years was later seen in its
ambitious programme named 'Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’.
• Free and compulsory elementary education was made a fundamental right under Article 21A of the Constitution in
December 2002 by the 86th Amendment.
• In bringing this into action, the 'Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill' was drafted in 2005.
CHALLENGES OF EDUCATION

• According to latest estimates, some 3.5 million elementary school children still not
in school
• Wide disparities in the educational status of different regions 
• Out of school children are from socially marginalized groups, especially girls,
working children, children of very poor families, and children in difficult
circumstances
• Dropout rates at elementary level as high as 51 percent; rising to 62 percent at
secondary level
• 5. 47 percent children in Class 5 are unable to read a Class 2 text 
THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE ACT

• Every child from 6 to 14 years of age shall have the right to free and compulsory education in a
neighborhood school till completion of elementary education.
• Private schools shall provide 25 percent reservation for weaker sections and economically
disadvantaged groups in the admission.
• . Right of children to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education in a
neighborhood school.
• The Act mandates improvement in quality of education.
• It makes provisions for a non-admitted child to be admitted to an age appropriate class.
IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING

• The Act lays down specific responsibilities for the centre, state and local bodies for its
implementation.
• The states have been clamoring that they lack financial capacity to deliver education of appropriate
standard in all the schools needed for universal education.
• A critical development in 2011 has been the decision taken in principle to extend the right to
education till Class X (age 16) and into the preschool age range.
• The CABE committee is in the process of looking into the implications of making this change.
CONCLUSION

• In order to meet the challenges and surmount the hurdles that stand in the way of implementing Right to
Education Act, it is needful to concentrate all efforts with full dedication and commitment.
• Not only the central and state governments but the nation as a whole should takeresponsibility in this regard.
• Community participation and support can make marked difference in achieving this goal.
• There exists a need for greater coordination amongst different agencies and functionaries involved in this
task.
• To overcome population pressures and budgetary constraints, cost effectiveness and accountability must be
ascertained at every level.
• Efforts should be focused on qualitative improvement of the whole programme
THANK YOU