Education Too Demands The Attention Of Modi

Recently we saw a debate on Uniform Civil Code in the context of triple talaq with the Prime Minister saying that he can’t allow lives of Muslim women to be ruined. He said it is the responsibility of the government to get Muslim women their rights according to the Constitution. Narendra Modi has also said that his government believes in a permanent and lasting solution to the problem of Kashmir within the framework of Indian Constitution.

- Sandeep Pandey

While Narendra Modi’s sympathy for Muslim women in laudable and we only hope that Kashmir problem will be solved one day, there is something more basic which demands the government’s attention and is easier doable than the two problems just mentioned.

The Indian Constitution initially as part of the Directive Principles and subsequent to the 86th amendment as a fundamental right guarantees free and compulsory education to children in the age group of 6-14 years.

The 17 member Indian Education Commission with another 20 international experts advising it , functional during 1964-66 under the chairmanship of Professor D.S. Kothari, the then chairman of University Grants Commission, came up with recommendation of a common public education system.

While there is a Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act in existence since 2009 it may not be very difficult to verify the veracity of ‘free and compulsory’ part of it as one ventures out into Indian streets or workplaces.