Govt takes steps to provide free and compulsory education to all children

Nearly eight years after an amendment was passed by Parliament, government has taken steps to provide free and compulsory education to all children aged six to 14 years from April one. The 86th amendment to the Constitution approved in 2002 providing free and compulsory education to all children aged six to 14 years has been notified.Along with this, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act which was passed by Parliament last year was also notified to enable the implementation of the 86th amendment.Both the notifications will come into force from April one. In her address to the joint sitting of the Parliament, president Pratibha Patil today said the Act has been notified. The 86th Amendment to the Constitution provides for 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. It provides early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.The amendment requires a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years. To implement the amendment, the government brought the Right To Education Act which was passed by the Parliament in August last year.The Right Act also earmarks 25 per cent seats to children from economically weaker sections in private schools. It stipulates that the local governments will ensure that the children in the specified age bracket are getting elementary education.