RTE - Who will Foot the Bill?
Another feather in UPA's cap. This is how the Right to Education Act is being seen. But like other decisions Kapil Sibal is myopic in his vision on several counts.
Does Sibal, himself an advocate, realise that social change can not be brought just by law. If that were not the case then why dowry is given and received in most of the marriages solemnised in the country despite the law being in force for the several decades? While child marriages are still common place?
If Kerala has attained 99% literacy and if Uttrakhand has achieved 99.5% enrolment this year, is it because of any law?
Most of the children on their way to school on the first day create tantrums showing their unwillingness. Will these children complain to the authorities against their parents? Otherwise too, does a six-year old know about his/her rights?
In many families, children are the bread-winners of the family. Have you thought about the future of these families?
States, in general, refuse to implement any central programme where they have to contribute even 10% of the budget because of lack of funds and here you expect them to bear 45%?
What about the migratory communities? Have you given a thought to it?
Mr Sibal! To bring social change, generation of awareness and involvement of the people is a must. Besides, you intend to make quantitative change, there is no scope for qualitative change in the act. Besides, with your visionary approach, you have exempted students from exams upto tenth class. That is going to have a negative impact particularly in rural, semi-urban and government schools as the teachers will be left with no incentive to teach.
Ultimately, the Act will widen the gap between the haves and have-nots - have-nots, the aam aadmi.
Does Sibal, himself an advocate, realise that social change can not be brought just by law. If that were not the case then why dowry is given and received in most of the marriages solemnised in the country despite the law being in force for the several decades? While child marriages are still common place?
If Kerala has attained 99% literacy and if Uttrakhand has achieved 99.5% enrolment this year, is it because of any law?
Most of the children on their way to school on the first day create tantrums showing their unwillingness. Will these children complain to the authorities against their parents? Otherwise too, does a six-year old know about his/her rights?
In many families, children are the bread-winners of the family. Have you thought about the future of these families?
States, in general, refuse to implement any central programme where they have to contribute even 10% of the budget because of lack of funds and here you expect them to bear 45%?
What about the migratory communities? Have you given a thought to it?
Mr Sibal! To bring social change, generation of awareness and involvement of the people is a must. Besides, you intend to make quantitative change, there is no scope for qualitative change in the act. Besides, with your visionary approach, you have exempted students from exams upto tenth class. That is going to have a negative impact particularly in rural, semi-urban and government schools as the teachers will be left with no incentive to teach.
Ultimately, the Act will widen the gap between the haves and have-nots - have-nots, the aam aadmi.
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