The 2009 Right to Education Act lacks effectiveness in encouraging incentive-based education for children, largely due to a deficiency in promoting awareness about the significance of schooling. A comprehensive approach that combines legislative measures with widespread awareness initiatives is imperative for fostering a culture of educational motivation.
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 2 Mains 2022
UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Exam Question Paper – 2022
Answer
Approach
- Start with briefly intro Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and The Right of Children.
- Discuss The act remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based systems.
- Explain why Education Act reforms needed.
- Conclusion/way forward.
Introduction
- Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009(RTE) guarantees providing free elementary education for every child from the age of six to fourteen years; and ensuring compulsory admission, attendance and completion of elementary education by every child from the age of six to fourteen years. This is stated as per the 86th Constitution Amendment Act via Article 21A. The Right to Education Act seeks to give effect to this amendment.The National Commission for Elementary Education shall be constituted to monitor all aspects of elementary education including quality.
Body
The act remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based systems:
- The inadequacies of the RTE Act in promoting an incentive-based system. these points highlight some of the shortcomings of the RTE Act and the need for further reforms to promote an incentive-based system: –
- Lack of financial allocation: Despite demands to allocate at least 6% of GDP to education, the allocation has never reached this figure, which affects the implementation of RTE.
- Apathy towards public education: There is a growing apathy towards the public education system, which can also hinder the implementation of RTE.
- Neglect of Common School System: The Common School System, which was recommended by the Kothari commission report, was not included in the RTE Act, despite the parameters of having a school within a defined radius being included in the act.
- Extension of Age: The act needs to include 3-6 age groups and 14-18 age groups, in addition to the current age group of 6-14 years.
- Comprehensive and Continuous Evaluation (CCE): The implementation of CCE has not been done in letter and spirit, which could limit the effectiveness of RTE.
- Lack of Awareness: Lack of awareness among child labourers, migrant children, differently abled children about free education, books, uniforms and other incentives. Lack of awareness about 25% reservation for disadvantaged sections of the society.
Education Act reforms needed:
- Several areas of the Education Act require reforms to improve the education system in India. Some of these reforms include:
- Increased funding: The Education Act needs to have adequate funding to ensure that all children have access to quality education. Currently, the budget allocated to education in India is insufficient, which affects the quality of education provided.
- Teacher training and recruitment: There is a need for better teacher training and recruitment processes in India. Teachers need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to teach children in a modern and engaging way.
- Curriculum reforms: The Education Act needs to be reformed to include a more holistic and inclusive curriculum that prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century. The current curriculum is outdated and needs to be reformed to include modern teaching methods and technologies.
- Inclusion of marginalised communities: The Education Act needs to include provisions to ensure that marginalised communities such as women, children with disabilities, and those from low-income families have equal access to quality education.
- Implementation and monitoring: The implementation of the Education Act needs to be strengthened, and there should be proper monitoring of the education system to ensure that all children have access to quality education.
Conclusion
- The Right to Education Act has played a crucial role in increasing the enrolment rate of children in India. Before the RTE Act was implemented, many children, especially those from economically weaker sections, were unable to attend school due to financial constraints or lack of access to educational facilities. This has led to a significant increase in the enrolment rate of children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in schools across the country.
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