Historic' Education Bill passed

Updated on: Wednesday, August 05, 2009

The 'Historic' landmark bill - The Right of Children to free and compulsory Education Bill, 2009 (RTE), was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 4.

The law is unique as while providing compulsory education, it would not fail any student till Class 8th while enjoining upon all government and private schools to provide 25% quota to 'disadvantaged' children. The law provides for building neighbourhood schools in three years whose definition and location will be decided by states.

During the discussion on landmark legislation, Sibal clarified doubts on the right of disabled persons, raised by some groups. He said disabled persons were part of the category of 'disadvantaged sections' who would get reservation. He added that Disability Act, which was part of RTE, was being amended to include Cerebral Palsy and Autism, and the amendment would automatically bring in the lawâ€™s ambit children with these disabilities.

The Union minister of human resources development, Mr Kapil Sibal, told the Lok Sabha: 'We, as a nation, cannot afford to not let our children go to school. This nation cannot afford to say 'No' to children where going to school is concerned because there is no money.' He asserted, noting that the measure details the obligations of the Centre and the states for providing free and compulsory education to children.
The Bill also seeks to do away with the practice of schools taking capitation fees before admission and subjecting the child or parents to any screening procedure. Mr Sibal said it would be up to the states to implement the policy of reservation in admissions.

He said that the Bill could become reality due to the inspiration of the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. He added that minority education institutions should also focus on giving education to those disadvantaged within the community. Expressing dissatisfaction with the present system of examination, he said at present the child has no choice but to take exams and the government was determined to end it.

Historic' Education Bill passed

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