Friday, February 19, 2010

Bihar and the Right to Education

At the State Consultation on the Right to Education on Thursday, the Government of Bihar gets ready to tackle the implications of the Right to Education Act. The Act, as you know, has been passed, and the President of India has given assent. The next step is the notification of the Act, which is the final step, making it into Law.

Kids between the ages of 6 and 14 are to be given access to free and compulsory education across schools in India, but the states have the flexibility to frame their own rules for implementation under the Act and that's why Bihar will see a series of consultations in order to get the rules ready.

The Act is a justiciable act... which means that infringements can be challenged in any court of law in the country.

 This will prove to be a major headache for the provinces, especially UP and Bihar, because of the sheer size of the various problems that have to be tackled in order to bring a semblance of equitable and qualitative education to children.

Every child will not only have access to school, but what is great about the act is that a rickshaw puller who lives on the outskirts of fashionable Patliputra colony will have the right to demand education for his daughter in the primary section of Notre Dame Academy, and the same will be applicable for a truck driver on Asiana More who can ensure that his kid studies at Delhi Public School.

Brahmin or Dalit, Musahar or Mohammedan, all will have equitable access according to the law. Even Madrasas [ Islamic schools]will have to abide by the government regulations and ensure miimum standards of education. Hopefully, private 'Hole in the wall' schools will be a thing of the past.
Things are going to get very interesting after April 2010!
[I took this photograph at a Bihar Government health camp campaign in a government school]

9 comments:

Professori said...

There is always a gap that exists between technical possibilities and what can be fairly implemented. Who pays Notre Dame or DPS for the children of subalterns who will now be legally entitled to education? Is the determinant going to be based on proximity only? Are private schools going to be brought under the purview of the act? What about schools that do not take government grants? How will schools cope with cultural disconnects? Are we talking about education or quality education? If that were to be so, shouldn't the first item on the agenda be to make sure that a rag-tag government school equals a Notre Dame or a DPS, in terms of educational facilities?
I do hope the answers are not blowing in the wind, else Fools Day will acquire greater significance this year.

Puja said...

There is always a broad opening between spoken words and works on the ground.

Right to education to come into force in state like Bihar and UP is a challenge but on which ground? Don’t you think People are still starving, dying like a stray dog? Do they will send their children to school as it’s a merely a right for them. Think again!

No law can be enforced unless the basics needs are fulfilled. Another thing, what school are you taking into considerations. Those schools in which teachers are absent for days? Those schools where education is just a fun? Mean to say that you come register your presence and walk out. Will these schools produce quality student who will be treated as par with students of Notre Dame or DPS or other private schools?

If you want to take India ahead we need solid ground. Equal opportunities and private schools must come under the jurisdiction. But still have qualms over the right to education in Bihar and UP. As politics have gone far below from our expectations. Is it a Political gimmick to earn bread and butter or really a solid step to make Bihar and UP Strong.

Just don’t about right to education talk about right to education with quality, effectiveness, sincerity and as par with Private schools.

News And Insights said...

The most important question is will the law `work properly in that case where there are many laws made by the government and right now it is of no use? Like dowry act and many more.right to information act is also in india.but those person who wants to know something under this law he cross the many hurdle.
So law is good but it work properly these responsibility should take government.
Also I am against the privatisation of education.I am against the private school,I know children takes there quality education but why government don't give the quality education on governmental school?is it not the government responsibility?There are no any school in BIHAR where the students got education. on that day when a rikshawpular childs will read in notredum,dps and other english medium school will happen a pleasure day.

Unknown said...

I'M SURE THIS ACT WILL PROVE TO BE A MILESTONE IN THE EDUCATIONAL HISTORY OF BIHAR.ANDNOW THE IMAGE OF BIHAR IS GOING TO CHANGE VERY SOON. I BEING A MEDIA STUDENT WELCOME THIS ACT IN BIHAR WITH BOTH MY HANDS SPREAD,AND ALL THE DOORS AND WINDOWS OF MY HART OPEN.

AKANKSHA said...

Education plays a vital role in the overall development of a person .If one is educated in real sense then ultimately he/she will contribute to the country's progress.
Due to 15 years of improper governance , Bihar's condition was much petiable as compared to other states of India. Then the year of 2005 brought new hopes for the people when the govt. was formed by Sushasan Babu .
Must say that in the recent years Honourable C.M. Mr. Nitish Kr. has done commendable jobs for Bihar . Many educational institutions were set up and the whole scenario of educational system changed almost .
Now the notification of the 'Right to Education ' act under whih every child of age group 6-14 will be given free and compulsory education is like a dream coming into reality for the underprivileged kids .
Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Patna has said that Bihar is still under developed due to illiteracy and specially because the no. of educated women are less here.
So, if this act enables a rickshawpuller's daughter or any other kid to get education in the schools, then , definately Bihar will prosper.

I know there is a vast difference in the law being made and the law being practiced . But the laws made for the welfare of people will be fruitful only when the people will also cooperate the government .

Mugdha Singh said...

I won’t blame the government if the ACTS are not put into action. We always blame the government and the duty on our part is done. If we are loyal ( if not to others then at least to ourselves) then we will realize that the barrier in implementing those acts are actually we. We don’t let the government work properly because we are neither loyal nor dutiful. In the month of March, 2009, the government of Bihar raised a fund of Rs. 5 lacs for the government schools; unfortunately the fund never served the purpose it was raised for. Who is to blame?
Why cannot we help the government instead of criticizing it?
Right to education! Right to this and that!!! Only using this terminology won’t work!
Why don’t we (educated person) take a step forward and educate a child (of course without taking fee) who works in our house, no doubt that child labour is banned but, unfortunately we are not that sensitive and besides we feel that rules are mend to be broken, coming back to the point, in most families we can always find one such child. If not, then there are so many children around us. We can spare some time (from watching T.V, chatting unnecessarily, celebrating rose day, chocolate day, valentines day….etc….etc… ) and help the government.
It is very well said “If you don’t like your image, don’t curse the mirror, CHANGE YOURSELF.”

Astha said...

I m sure,this law will help our Bihar this Act will surely help our Biharis to show the bright face of Bihar.and i know this time Act will work properly because this time our govt is serious about it and they really want to delete illiteracy from here

Anonymous said...

This act is really a good step to progress the states like Bihar and U.P. And also good to hear that every people including poor will have equitable access acording to the law. But let see how far it'll be effective.

I would like to give my view regarding the response of Islamic Institutes. I don't see any harm in accepting this law. Moreover, it is a good opportunity that opens the door to clear every single misconception related to Islam that exists. Because this law invites every child of any religion to know and research Islam.

Anonymous said...

I am damn sure that this act will help the students of bihar to get education with democracy and democracy with education. If the quality of education of bihar will improve then the quality of whole of the nation will improve.
But main issue is that in our india there are many bills are passed but there is always a large gap exit between announcement and technichl possiblities to impliment them. So main issue is that it must be impliment technically on the ground not show only on paper, because there are many laws made by government but mostly has been failled why?
But now a days situtation has been changed, so i hope 'Right to Education' act will be verry usefull for children of age group 6-14 because they can get free and compulsory education and many more thing.
It will be more usefull for Bihar because there is too poor condition of primarry education but i would like to say thanks to honourable CM for his excellency activities and efforts towards developement of Bihar.
So, if this act will be practically run on ground then surely poors' and Dalit's kidds can get education in good school then definately Bihar will flourish on every path.