Question : SHIKSHA YATRA

(a) whether the Government are aware that there was a right to education campaign throughout India in the name of Shiksha Yatra;

(b) if so, the details of their demands; and

(c) the steps taken to meet their demands?

THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)

(a) : Yes, Sir.

(b) : In its memorandum the participants of Shiksha Yatra had put the following demands:

-· Immediate passage of the 83rd Constitutional Amendment Bill and allocation of 8% of GNP on education of which 50% should be kept aside for primary education.

-· There should be good neighbourhood schools, where children of different classes and communities should be offered free, compulsory, meaningful & equal education. Emphasis should be on girls education.


-· Free Education – The concept of free education should be defined. Fees should be waived. School uniforms, books, conveyance, nutritious meals should be made free up to the age of 18 years.

-· Compulsory Education – Responsibility and participation of the local schools, administrative units, parents, community and teachers should be invoked to make education compulsory.

-· Meaningful Education – Education should be meaningful, joyful and lead towards self-actualisation of the individual.

-· Equal Education – Education should be imparted without any discrimination to bridge the gap between rich and poor.

-· It is the constitutional responsibility of the central and state government to make education a fundamental right.

-· Ban on privatisation and communalisation of primary education.


(c) : The Constitution (Eighty Third Amendment) Bill, 1997 to make right to free and compulsory education for children in the age group 6-14 years a Fundamental Right was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 28, 1997.

After examination by the Parliamentary Standing Committee and receipt of suggestions in the 165th Report of the Law Commission of India, a revised proposal was placed for the consideration of the Union Cabinet. The Union Cabinet referred it to a Group of Ministers where it is under consideration

Regarding the other demands, the Government has launched Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan - a programme for Universalisation of Elementary Education which addresses issues raised in the memorandum.