Introduction:
Before we start with the acknowledgement of Right to Education or why education is essential; we need to understand What is education?
“Education refers to a predefined process of learning. It includes a combination of skills, knowledge, values, beliefs, habits; in short, a complete curriculum to build a human personality”.
“Education is about receiving the systematic learning process at a school, college, university or an authorised public/private education centre”.
Now, in India, every child has a Right to Education. Still, why education is always a concern of discussion? It is because of the low literacy rate.
The literacy rate in India in 2014 was 69.1%. If we talk about the facts in the year 2019; the overall literacy rate improved to 74.37%.
The condition is even worse on the ground in comparison to statistics.
Right to Education: Is Not Only For Documentation, But It’s also For Implementation
Now, when we further talk about literacy or education in India, it depends on multiple factors. Some of the common considerations include:
- Age ( adult literacy rate is less than the youth)
- Sex ( the literacy rate of females is much less than males)
- Place ( urban areas have a higher literacy rate compared to rural areas)
- States ( there exists a massive variation in the literacy rate based on states.
PS: Kerala has the highest literacy rate and Bihar the lowest)
Well, these are the comparable facts, there are other known and unknown reasons too, that make a difference in education.
For making symmetry the education system, the Government of India came up with Right to Education in the year 2002. However, the law was a part of the implementation in the year 2010 after several amendments.
What is Right to Education?
Right to Education, says:
- Free and compulsory education for children between 6 to 14 years until the completion of elementary education
- The government must admit and monitor the children as per the education rules of the state
- Provisions for admission of the child in an appropriate class as per the age
- The government accomplishes their duty with free education and adds responsibility to parents to enrol their child to avail of the benefits
- Prohibits any kind of mental or physical harassment of children by tutors
- Proper introduction of the curriculum for the overall development of physical and mental health
Well, the law of Right to Education is perfect when we talk about formulation. However, if we see the change after its implementation; the results are disappointing.
From 2011 to 2020, the improvement in literacy rate is 5.07%. When other developed countries have a literacy rate higher than 95%, we are still struggling to spread awareness about the Importance of education.
Both the system and the common man are at fault for the degrading conditions of education in the country. If we all wish to change the societal scenario and introduce social upliftment, education is a must.
Education today is the primary need, just like food, clothing, and shelter. Until we work on improving the scenario of Education in India, we can never be a part of developed nations. We will always remain a struggling developing country.
Why Is There a Need For Education?
Education is the substantial primary factor for the socio-economic growth of a country. The Right to Education has its entire focus on building the human capital of the country.
For improving the overall scenario, the government is running several programs. However, we need to understand that it is not the responsibility of the government alone. Each citizen of the country has to pay an equal contribution to change the existing reality.
Without going into the technicalities of GDP, Per Capita Income and other factors that depend on education for the development of the country, let us understand the Importance of Education as a layman.
Importance of Education:
- How can you get a job? Through education, skills, and knowledge. If you are literate, you have a job or source of income. Illiteracy leads to unemployment.
In short, one of the primary reasons for unemployment is lack of Education.
- When does a person think of crime? If you are unemployed, you do not earn; you will think of unethical ways to make bread. An educated mind never thinks destructive.
Lack of education gives birth to unemployment which in turn leads to criminal activities.
- Inhuman behaviour, social abuses, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dowry system, gender inequality, child labour, female infanticide, and many more social issues exist when you avoid Right to Education
Education is the solution for all the root causes of social issues in India.
From improving job opportunities to avoiding deaths due to hunger; education has the power of healing. So, education is essential for:
- Kids
- Youth, and
- Adults
Improved Education in a country results in:
- Research and Development in the field of science and technology
- Better use of natural and human resources
- Change in the mindset
- Sustainable growth
- Building responsible citizens, and finally
- Overall strengthening of the nation
Education is not about running a race to gain marks. It is all about adding knowledge to the power bank of your mind.
Facilitated Learning is for creating human beings with positive thinking, defining social behaviour, and helping them to attain economic independence.
Are these reasons enough to associate every child with their Right to Education? Gone are the days when the child of labour was defined to belabour. Today, the daughter of a driver is a doctor and the son of a plumber, a scientist.
Who Can Change The Education Scenario In India?
For changing the level of education and literacy rate in India, social reformers, educators, NGOs, and most importantly the youth of the country has to stand as Social Pillars with the government of the country.
I, me, and you can bring about the difference in our motherland. Knowledge multiplies through sharing. Even if you can change a single life around you by spreading awareness for Right to Education, your contribution is valuable.
Final Words:
Government and Non-Government Organisations are doing their job well. Even the work of youth volunteers is appreciable.
However, are we just going to appreciate others, or participate in the progress of our country? It’s high time to decide. If you wish to contribute, but do not know how?
Join us now to get the roadmap. Social Pillars is continuously progressive for spreading the Right to Education and taking necessary actions wherever required.
Stay tuned for more updates.
