(a) whether the Government proposes to revise the draft Bill on Right to Education;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether some States have rejected the Government`s suggestion to draw up their own law in this regard;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether the directive principle of `Right to Education` enshrined in our Constitution has been fulfilled;
(f) if not, the reasons therefor; and (g) the steps taken to provide free and compulsory education to children?
MINISTER. OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)
(a) to (g): In pursuance of Article 21 A of the
Constitution, which makes education a Fundamental Right
for children in the age group of 6-14 years by providing
that ` the State shall provide free and compulsory
education to all children of the age of six to fourteen
years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine`,
a draft Model Riqht to Education Bill was formulated and
circulated as framework to the state /UTs with a view to
seek their comments thereon. The main objections raised by
the States and UTs relate to:
1. Proposal regarding replacement of the Central
Legislation by a Model Bill for State Legislation.
2. Linkage of SSA funding with State/UT enactment of
Model Right to Education Bill or modification of existing
State/UT Acts.
3. Making elementary education first charge on revenues of
each State Government, next only to law and order.
4. Financial liability for free and compulsory education
to be borne by the States/UTs.
In view of the objections raised and strong
reservations expressed by various States/UTs, the meeting of
the High Level Group (HLG) comprising Minister of Human
Resource Development, Finance Minister, Deputy Chairman,
Planning Commission and Chairman of the Prime Minister`s
Economic Advisory Council was held on 6th November, 2007 to
examine the issues involved and advise the Government on how
best to take the matter forward with a view to fulfill the
commitment of the Government to facilitate the enactment of
an appropriate Law that would enable the realization of
making education a Fundamental Right as required by the
Constitution, The objectives of universalization of
elementary education are being addressed through the Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan programme. The Central Government has in the
last three years significantly enhanced the budgetary
allocations to State Governments as part, of its commitment
towards universalization of elementary education.