Child rights activists demand amendments in Education Act

Updated on: Saturday, December 12, 2009

New Delhi: Hundreds of children and child rights activists held a rally seeking amendments in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.

"We have three demands that we want the act to include," said Puja Marwaha, Regional Director of CRY, the institution that organised the rally.

"Firstly, the act should include children below 6 and also 15-18 years in the core provision. This is the age group where most attention is required. Neglecting nutrition and education at this age has very serious consequences," she said.

The demands also included allotting 10 per cent of the GDP to education and the government ensuring schools with qualified teachers and proper facilities (sanitation, water etc) within one km of any habitation.

"I support these demands because I think there are several loopholes in the existing act. The scope of the landmark deal is quite limited," said Jean Dreze from the Right to Food Campaign.

Marwaha said that the group has spoken to Governors and Chief Ministers of six to seven states and got a positive response. The demands are part of the campaign 'Sarva Shiksha Samaan Shiksha', a cause espoused by the rally.

The group will meet the President and the Prime Minister to press for their demands, she said adding that CRY has collected eight lakh signatures in support for the campaign that started on Children's Day.

The programme was also attended by several children from underprivileged families. They spoke on the necessity of education for all children irrespective of social and economic barriers.

"I come from a family of four sisters and a brother living with parents. My father is a rag picker and I used to help him in his work. One day some women came to our house and persuaded my father to send me and my siblings to school. I am very happy to have got this opportunity and I hope other children like me get to do the same," said Asmina Shah, a 12-year-old.

Child rights activists demand amendments in Education Act

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