Date:10/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/10/stories/2008031055181300.htm

National

Right to Education Bill in current session: Arjun

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has said that the Right to Education Bill will be introduced in Parliament during the current session.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Sunday, Mr. Singh said that the Bill would ensure that education became a matter of right for all children between six and 14. It would go beyond the legislation enacted by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, making education a fundamental right for this age group.

It would bring the right to education on a par with other judicially enforceable rights. He hoped that funds needed for making this a reality would be taken care of by the Planning Commission.

The Minister said the UPA government had carried out its mandate to a very large extent. The issue of secularism had been kept in focus and there was considerable success in ‘de-saffronising’ education. He said the government was right on track in implementing the recommendations of the Sachar Committee.