New Delhi: The Right to Education became a Fundamental Right on Thursday. This Right promises to ensure education for all children between the ages of 6 to 14 years, who number around 22 crore in the country. Reports said at least 1.1 out of these children do not go to a school.
Addressing the nation on this occasion, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, enacted by Parliament in August 2009, has come into force today (Thursday)."
"The Fundamental Right to Education, as incorporated in our Constitution under Article 21 A, has also become operative from today," he added.
The PM stated that India is a nation of young people and so the health, education and creative abilities of the country's children and young people will determine the wellbeing and strength of the nation. "Education is the key to progress. It empowers the individual. It enables a nation," he said.
"We are committed to ensuring that all children, irrespective of gender and social category, have access to education. An education that enables them to acquire the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes necessary to become responsible and active citizens of India," Singh said.
In his address, Singh urged all the state and union terrirory governments to work together with the Centre to realise the Right to Education. Mentioning that the success of any educational endeavour is based on the ability and motivation of teachers, he urged all teachers across the country to become partners in this effort. "Our government, in partnership with the state governments will ensure that financial constraints do not hamper the implementation of the Right to Education Act," he said.
"I was born to a family of modest means. In my childhood I 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," the PM 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," he added.