Does ‘Right to Education’ exist in India?

Article 21A declares that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all the children of age six to fourteen year’s in such a manner as the state may determine. Thus, this provision makes only elementary education a fundamental right and not higher or professional education.

But the question is does the right to education exist in India? We all are aware of the fact that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Right to education is the process of acquiring, knowledge, skills and belief, and habits to uplift our standard of life. But still, a multitude of people are not getting their rights. Even many of them are not aware of their rights.

Rich or poor, parents want the best education for their children, and they’ve shown by their choices that government-run schools

are not providing it. The growing revealed preference for private schools reflects the fact that even poor parents who themselves might lack much formal education can tell the difference between good and bad schooling and that they are prepared to invest substantial resources in their children’s education. One of the major flaws with RTE is that it focuses only on physical infrastructure and measurements; not on the educational outcomes or the quality of education.

The right to education should be taken seriously and in the right way. The government does make schools and state that they have done their job but no! These schools aren’t worth going to, no proper infrastructure, no proper washroom nothing, no proper canteen like other better and private schools have. Government should also focus on areas where still, people are unable to send their children to school.

During the lockdown, many are unable to learn because who has the facility of the internet can take the benefit but what about those who do not have the internet and facility. COVID-19 has created a situation of digital divide which means that students without any device or internet connectivity are not getting benefits. The reach of education is very limited only to the students who can afford the resources like the Internet and smartphones or laptops.