Shiksha Yatra reaches capital

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 19.

Traversing through 20 States, covering a distance of 15,000 km in all, a rally of about 150 marchers -- `Shiksha Yatra' -- reached the Capital today after travelling for 115 days.

The Shiksha Yatra -- an initiative of the South Asian Coalition on Child Servitude (SACCS) and several other organisations -- was organised with the objective of generating a mass movement on the issue of Right to Education for all. ``In India, the three types of power -- economic, political and the power of knowledge -- are concentrated in one particular class and to break this status quo education for all is a necessary step which the State should enforce immediately, not as an act of charity but as a fundamental right,'' said chairperson of SACCS, Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, at a press conference here today.

The Constitution, through the Directive Principles of State Policy had envisaged free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14 years within 10 years. According to this directive, by 1960, all children under 14 years should be given free and compulsory education. However, even after 50 years, the government has failed to follow this guideline. The objective of `Shiksha Yatra' -- India Marches for Education -- is to convert this Directive Principle into a Fundamental Right which can be constitutionally enforced.

The organisation has not ignored the economic requirements behind this demand. ``The monetary requirements to enforce this demand are quite high. But it can be achieved. We should bargain with multinational corporations and Indian companies and impose an educational tax on them. The MNCs get a lot of benefits and subsidies from the government and in turn, they can ensure spread of education in the area they invest in. Also, we can impose a quota on all private schools to keep a certain number of seats for the poor illiterates of the area,'' said Mr. Satyarthi.

A four-pronged education system -- `free', `compulsory, `uniform' and `meaningful' education -- has been outlined. According to Mr. Satyarthi, there is need to re-define the Constitutional provision of free education.``Free education does not mean excusing tuition fees alone. It also includes free uniform, mid- day meals, free stationery etc''.

Compulsory education means that not only the parents but the principals and district officials should be held accountable to ensure attendance of children. Education should be uniform and meaningful, implying no disparity, and relevant, useful as well as job-oriented education.

As a follow-up to the yatra Mr. Satyarthi plans to constitute peoples' vigilance committees in 200 districts to act as a ``watchdog'' to ensure greater transparency in the expenses incurred. He also called upon the educated people to volunteer as `Shiksha Sevis' to act as `` catalysts in the spread of education.''

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