By Santanu Mishra
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE) was passed by the parliament on 4 August 2009. The act describes the modalities of the provision of free and compulsory education for children in the age groups of 6 to 14 in India under Article 21A of the Constitution of India.
The act came into force on 1 April 2010. Thus, India becomes one of 135 countries which make education a fundamental right of every child Education is a fundamental right of every child in India now. Thanks to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE). A child in India is entitled to get free and compulsory education.
The act has realised at a time when India is home to the largest illiterate population above the age of seven. Further, estimates say up to 60 million children (6-14 years) are not in school. Those who are in school, only 47 out of 100 children enrolled in Class I reach Class VIII.
When Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All Movement) was launched in 2001, within two years there was a drop in the number of children outside school by 15 million.
But, millions of children would have no way but stay away from getting education, and thus missing a once-in-a-generation chance to come out of poverty and suffering.
Read Full Article: Perfecting RTE Act Can Wait Article by Santanu Mishra
(Source: CSR & COMPETITIVENESS, June 2014)
Author is the Co-Founder & Executive Trustee at Smile Foundation.