|
|
|
wada na todo
|
|
|
 |
|
| >> Back To Events Index |
|
| Strategy Meeting on the Right to Education Bill, 28 July 2008 |
|
|
Civil society groups working on the Right to Education met at New Delhi to review the content of the Draft Right to Education Bill. The joint strategy meeting was called for Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, India Alliance for Child Rights, National Council for Education, People's Campaign for a Common School System (PCCSS), and Wada Na Todo Abhiyan.
The discussion included representatives from Action Aid India, Aarth - Aastha, BBA, CBGA, CECOEDECON, CLRA, Delhi University, Dr. A V Baliga Memorial Trust, NFFPFW, Nirantar, NFIW, NMML, Plan India, IGSSS, IPANI, Oxfam India, Scope Plus, UDI and World Vision India. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Context and Relevance of the Bill |
|
At the outset, Ashok Bharti, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan explained that the discussion was motivated by the concerns and apprehensions around the draft Bill which is according to some reports may be introduced in the monsoon session. The meeting aimed to develop a collective advocacy and lobbying strategy to ensure that the Bill is adopted in its intended form without undue
dilution or delay.
Drawing upon the historical context of the RTE Bill, Vinod Raina, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti and Member, CABE said “the current draft of the Bill is based on the August 2005 draft which was proposed by the CABE committee”. He explained that the Law Ministry was opposed to the term ‘equitable quality’ since, in their opinion, this term is not justiciable. However, after a long battle, the contents of quality of the August 2005 draft have been retained, without using the term
‘equitable quality’.
Razia Ismail Abbasi, IACR said that “the broader question of what is the right to education must be kept alive”. She reflected that the proposed legislation must be seen as a tool to address the existing inequities in schooling that are being promoted through programs like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the development of Model Schools.
Ambarish Rai, PCCSS said “the Right to Education as a fundamental right has not become a reality due to the deliberate attempt of government weakening the accessibility of equitable quality education to all. Speaking on the privatization of education he said that the neoliberal policy of the government is pushing towards the privatization of education and stressed that the RTE should be based on the Common School System (CSS). |
|
| Call for Mass Action and Political Pressure |
|
Rama Kant Rai, NCE called for efforts to mobilize public opinion around the contents and process of the Bill. “The RTE Bill needs to be taken to the public domain and should be made open for public discussion and debate”. He explained that the process of the drafting of the bill has to be made transparent and accountable and the Bill should stress on the need for direct participation of the community in the planning and management of education.
Avinash Kumar, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan citing the example of the Nine is Mine campaign suggested that a similar mass mobilization would be required for generating pressure and awareness on the RTE. He suggested that street action should also be organized during the Monsoon Session of Parliament to bring public and political attention to the ‘hidden discourse’ on the Right to
Education Bill. |
|
| >>Read More | >>View Photos |
>> Download the Draft RTE Bill |
|
|
| >> Back To Events Index |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
