Right to Education is not just symbolic: Rajeev Gowda

Chairperson of the Centre for Public Policy at IIM-B and member of the Congress party, Rajeev Gowda, dissects the Right to Education Act in a conversation with DNA. 

As the chairperson of Centre for Public Policy at IIM-B and an active member of the Congress party, what is your take on the Right to Education Act?
When it comes to Right to Education, the Act has its heart in the right place. Right from Independence, India has made a conscious attempt to bridge divides of caste, gender, religion and economic status. This Act is a reaffirmation of Parliament’s commitment to invest in all our children’s education. The Right to Education Act will is not just a symbolic gesture  but will be backed up by budgets and education infrastructure investments and will improve access to education to every Indian.

What about the loopholes in the Act, which have stirred a debate in the city?
There are many issues to be ironed out before we can translate this noble intent into concrete reality. For example, what about the ‘quality of education’? The Act is focused on access to schooling while we should also be concerned about the quality of learning.
But the RTE is certainly a wake up call for all Indians. We have been complacent about the perpetuation of divides in society. While the rich and the upper-middle classes get access to elite education — which propels their future economic success — the poor are confined to a track that doesn’t provide them with adequate, quality education. Moreover, education has become a big business today, and in the process those who can’t afford to pay are frozen out of economic growth for generations to come.

Why is this a landmark Act, according to you?
The Preamble of our Constitution guaranteed equality of status and of opportunity to every Indian. In an increasingly knowledge-driven economy, excluding the poor from accessing quality education, as has indeed happened, is neither in line with our nation’s founding principles nor is it appropriate for social harmony. This Act was long overdue and is an essential step that will enable building bridges across the divides that we have inherited.

What is the step forward?
Lots of details will have to be worked out. RTE calls out for each of us to take responsibility for one another, and to empathise with marginalised sections of society. The current debates will help improve the Act, and ensure that it helps us move towards a more inclusive society with opportunities available to all regardless of their parents’ wealth.