sibal says Right to Education Act burden not to be passed on to students

Updated on: Wednesday, April 18, 2012

After the Supreme Court this week upheld the constitutional validity of Right to Education Act, the government on Sunday allayed fears and dismissed suggestions that the burden which private schools will have to bear to implement the law will be passed on to students.

The RTE Act mandates schools to provide free education to 25% of students from economically weaker sections between 6 to 14 years of age.

"I do not think that will happen," Sibal said in a TV interview, adding, "I think there would be ways and means to raise resources."

Sibal also assured that government will take care to ensure education to students coming from the margins of society after Class VIII when the provision of the Act comes to an end.

Asked who will pay the tab for the 25% reservation, he said under the RTE Act, schools which have not taken any benefit from the government will be compensated by the government. "We have made the calculation," Sibal said.

However, he agreed that this was not sufficient and said that during the 12th five year plan, the government will provide school uniform and textbooks to students. Sibal also said that the schools can raise resources from their funds if they have surplus resources and they can also tap the funds provided by corporates through their corporate social responsibility obligation.

"You have many corporates who are committed for corporate social responsibilities. Schools can actually tap their resources so that there is no burden on parents," Sibal added.

sibal says Right to Education Act burden not to be passed on to students

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