RTE : Right to education snippets

India will take a big step forward today when the right to education becomes a justiciable fundamental right of all citizens. It will give a much needed push to what the people have been striving for—universalisation of education at the elementary stage—and is seen as a foundation for further expansion at the secondary and higher stages in future. The law is no doubt welcome, but what is needed is strong follow-up so that education actually becomes a right that is available to all, and does not remain another piece of paper. For this, the government needs to take up some key challenges. Although enrollment in elementary classes has increased tremendously in recent years, driven by the thirst for education as well as the incentive of mid day meals, there are still about 8.1 million children of school going age that remain out of school. The bigger problem is that of drop-outs. Latest official figures say about 50%—or a jaw-dropping 90 million—of all those who enroll in primary stages drop out by class 8. For the right to education to really mean anything, these children have to be kept in school at least till they turn 14, which is the outer limit for coverage under the law. Then there is the issue of teachers. There are about 250 million children in the 5-14 years age group, studying in classes 1 to 8. It is recommended to have one teacher for every 40 students, meaning over 6 million teachers till class 8 only. Latest District Information System for Education (DISE) figures say actual number of teachers in primary and middle schools was just over 5.7 million, about 3 lakh short at the primary and middle stage itself. It is estimated that about 6.5% teachers—3.7 lakh—will retire or leave each year. So, in the next five years, about 1.8 million teachers will leave. In all, there is a colossal shortfall of 2 million teachers staring at the country. Teachers training colleges are opening by the dozens, so quality of teaching is an obvious casualty. According to the National University of Educational Planning and Education, about a quarter of all teachers taking classes 1 to 8 have studied till secondary stage only. The only way the government can handle these tough challenges is by enhancing allocation for education at central and state levels. In 2006-07, total expenditure on education at all levels was nearly Rs.1.33 lakh crore, or 3.6% of GDP. If India is to really implement RTE, this needs to be hiked to at least 6% of GDP. The passing of the Act gives every child the right to a quality elementary education . All children aged 6-14 years shall have the right to free, compulsory elementary education at a neighbourhood school .No direct (school fees) or indirect cost (uniforms, textbooks, mid-day meals, transportation) need be borne by the child or his/her parents to obtain this elementary education