New Delhi, Apr 1: The historic Right to Education law, providing free and compulsory schooling to children in the 6-14 year age bracket, today came into force with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking the states to join in this national effort with full resolve and determination.
 The new statute makes it obligatory on part of the state governments and local bodies to ensure that every child gets education in a school in the neighbourhood. Its implementation will directly benefit close to one crore children who do not go to schools at present.
 Addressing the nation on the occasion, the Prime Minister said,
 “The government is committed to ensuring that all children irrespective of gender and social category, have access to education.
 “Our government, in partnership with state governments, will
 ensure that financial constraints do not hamper the implementation of the Right to Education Act,” he said.
 The 86th Constitutional amendment making education a fundamental right was passed by Parliament in 2002. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, a law to enable the implementation of the fundamental right, was passed by Parliament last year. Both the Constitutional amendment and the new law came into force from today.
 Adding a personal touch to the importance of education, the
 Prime Minister recalled his own childhood days as someone born in a family of modest means who had to walk a long distance to go to school. “I read under the dim light of a kerosene lamp. I am what I am today because of education,” he said.
 “I want every Indian child, girl and boy, to be so touched by the light of education. I want every Indian to dream of a better future and live that dream”, Singh said.
 “Today, our government comes before you to redeem the pledge of giving all our children the right to elementary education,” Singh said, adding “this demonstrates our national commitment to the education of our children and to the future of India.”
 The children, who have either dropped out from schools or have never been to any educational institution, will be now enrolled in schools.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST