Right to Education in India to Achieve Millennium Development Goals

Abstract

This paper provides a public policy perspective of the Right to Education in India. Right to Education is the latest fundamental right given by the Indian Constitution to its citizens. The Indian state now has the legal obligation to provide free elementary education to children between the ages of 6-14 years. To ensure that this education policy also does not drag its feet like all the previous time bound plans/policies, we just cannot stop with legislation. It has to be followed up by proper enforcement and implementation. Without a concrete framework and administrative machinery, the right to education cannot solve the puzzle of achieving access, equality, quality and the Millennium Development Goals in education. Secondly, the paper briefly analyses the previous education policies to understand their drawbacks. Those policies were broadly institutional and incremental in nature and thus falling short of expectations. Thirdly, the paper will highlight what positive changes the legislation of the Right to Education will bring about in education and thus help in achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Education. It is noteworthy that the formulation of the Right to Education saw a massive and nationwide opinion-building exercise. Lastly, the paper will discuss policy options available and best suited to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in education. It is a big challenge going uphill but not an impossible task.