Even after the effective and transparent Right to Education (RTE) Act, as many as 15,000 children from economically weaker section (EWS) of the society and other disadvantaged categories were again shown the close door. This was specifically for children seeking admission to Class 1 in Ahmedabad recently. The policy of admission to children living in a stipulated radius of 6 km became a deterrent. While compulsory education is free to children upto the age of 14 years, ground reality is hard hitting.
The Indian Educational Policy was initially formulated as the National Policy on Education (NPE-1968) and then revised in 1992. Under this policy, Government of India had formulated certain principles that would be helpful in promoting the development of education in India. These include various pointers. (enclosed box)
While the Government of India has laid out the foundation for the Educational Policy in the country, all states are actually at discretion to further make additions to the body base of the policy. The Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) plays the significant role of advising the Central and State Governments, as the highest advisory body for such policy additions.
But most of these policies are unable to help the children from economically weaker section of societies. In a recent statement, the HRD ministry has promised to work on expanding Kendriya Vidyalayas as model schools and extending it to poorer sections of society.
But everything said and done, there are certain amendments that are showing a bright light across the tunnel. Here are some welcome changes that have come in the Educational Policy in 2016:
- For one, the No-Detention policy is off for Class 5 and Class 8. Children will now have to pass all their examinations to be promoted to Class 6 and Class 9 receptively.
- The Delhi High Court has now given a ruling that no university can deny admission to a prospective student if a provisional certificate has been issued by a varsity. This works valid till a degree is issued.
- A male is as free as a female student as per new UGC regulation, can file a sexual harassment case against men, women and transgenders as well.
- Telengana is the first Indian state that has made gender education compulsory at the graduation level.
- The Haryana Education board will make Aadhaar card mandatory for board exams.
- In a path making move, Assam government has announced free higher secondary, three-year degree and polytechnic diploma courses for poor students.
With some of these and many other reforms, India is definitely on the road of reformation. With the way we are living in a global village, it is imperative that our Educational Policy continues to make progressive changes, so that the youth are apt to manage the challenges of an ever changing and volatile global economy.
