Date:10/08/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/08/10/stories/2002081007091004.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Right to education

Sir, — It is heartening to note that the Government plans to introduce the 93rd Constitution Amendment Bill on the right to education in the winter session of Parliament. Parliamentarians, irrespective of their party affiliation and regional and other divide, need to support this Bill which will make education a fundamental right of every citizen. However, what is to be noted is that the present provisions of the Bill do not include the rights that were already available to the people as per the Unnikrishnan Judgment, 1993.Therefore in the light of the judgment, the Bill should incorporate certain other relevant details like early childcare, which should be made a fundamental right. This right should be made an obligation on the State. But we read that the Bill imposes an obligation on parents to provide opportunities for education to their children of this age group and enforce the right if the Government fails to provide education. One can only say that it is rather unhappily worded and ambiguous.

Srimathi Venkatachari,

Julich, Germany