Due to the unorganised structure and ineffective arrangement from both State Governments and private institutions, the Right to Education Act is yet to be implemented in letter and spirit and the way it should have been implemented to empower and fulfil the requirement of children and to enhance the education system. Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, who fought the legal battle in 1997 against private schools’ sudden fees hike after the implementation of 5th Pay Commission reports, was in Ranchi on Tuesday. He talked to The Pioneer on the various aspects of RTE. Excerpts:
Private schools are breaching the norms time to time increasing fees putting burden on guardians. Is there any way outIJ
In three states of India -- Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Maharashtra -- they have made fees regulation act and it is being followed strictly after its implementation, as a result these states have curbed the high handedness of private schools to an extent. Similar uniform law must be implemented in all the states to chock out this core issue.
Do you think merely making the law will help in tackling the problemsIJ
No but laws are the guiding principles and people who are aware about their rights know what is applicable during the time of need. Apart this, people must understand various clauses and sub clauses of RTE to counter their challenger. At present, guardians themselves are not clear about the various provisions under RTE. There are few articles, which require amendment looking at the present scenario.
Are you in favour of Allahabad High Court judgementIJ
I am completely in favour of Allahabad High Court Judgement which made mandatory for all sections of society to send their kids irrespective of their posts to government schools instead admitting the kids into the private schools. It will not just enhance the image of government schools but will also motivate the weaker section of society and will develop a sense of equality among children. It’s high time now and country requires a uniform law to tackle the arbitrariness of private schools functioning across India.
Minority schools have been left out and do not cover the RTE provisions. What do you have to say on itIJ
Yes, unfortunately after the three bench judgement on RTE in 2012, minority schools were kept out of the RTE Act. However, in my opinion both aided and non-aided minority schools must be brought under the peripheral of RTE to maintain the parity.
According to you what else is required to enhance the present education systemIJ
Tthe free and compulsory education which is imparted among the kids upto 14 years till standard 8 must be expanded to 18 years upto class 12 to help the kids to hails from the economically weaker section of the society.