Education as a Human Right: India towards Equity with Quality

Abstract

The post-independent India had expected some sort of egali­tarian society as one of the important flanks of national struggle, for independence was to give India not only political freedom, but also social, economic and educational freedom as well. Hence, for formation of social­istic pattern of society based on equality, liberty and fraternity, it laid down certain provisions in Constitution of India for the social justice and development of the downtrodden India, as part of national commitment. Following the guidelines of the Constitution several measures were formulated and implemented. Legislation for compulsory primary education (Article 45) has been enacted in most of the states and in union territories. Through 86^thConstitutional Amendment, compulsory education for children between the age of 6 and 14 has been devised and Sarva Shisksa Abhyan has been launched to implement such programme. For educational development of weaker sections various special schools and hostels were constructed especially for girls. Indian government has mobilized some youths in the form of Siksha Karmi or Anganwadi for rural teaching. However, when we evaluate these programmes of development, the empirical evidences provided by many studies do not support the implementation in letter and spirit by the government. Based on the recommendations in the Dakar Framework for Action and the Convention of the Right of the Child, as well as a number of other national and international conventions and recommendations, it can be concluded that everyone has the right not only to receive education, but also to receive education of a high quality. A quality education system must manage to provide all children and young people with a comprehensive education and with an appropriate preparation for working life, life in society and private life. The present paper advocates that quality education as a basic human right should be made available to all people regardless of race, class, religion and gender.