Click to play videoNew Delhi: Parliament on Tuesday passed the Right to Education Bill. All the children between six to 14 years of age now have a right to free and compulsory education in the country.
This bill is the UPA’s biggest social sector programme after the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).
But the bill didn’t pass without giving way to a new controversy. Congress president Sonia Gandhi wasn’t seen participating in the big education debate in Parliament, however, she kept a watchful eye on the proceedings.
Being politically correct, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal gave the credit of the bill to Congress leadership.
“When history will be written 50 years from now, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi will be seen as harbingers of revolution in the education sectors,” said Sibal in Parliament.
She kept a watchful eye on the proceedings but didn’t say anything on the bill.
Sibal may have appeared unfazed but there was no denying he faced a barrage of criticism.
Many believe the bill has been done up in a hurry to meet the 100 day deadline and there isn’t enough scope for quality education for the poor.
The Opposition was also quite vocal about its many misgivings.
“Get this bill redrafted. This bill doesn’t even talk about financial implications,” said Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi in Parliament.
But there are some good points in the bill too –
- The concept of neighbourhood school is being introduced.
- No child will be detained in a class.
- Schools will have to provide quality teachers.
- There will be an improved student-teacher ratio.
The financial implications of the bill are also being worked out. The initial estimates put it to the tune of Rs 65,000 and the burden will have to be shared by the states and the Centre.
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