Supreme Court: Equality in Society Must Begin in Schools
SC emphasizes equal education for all children to transform social structure.
Photo by Nk Ni
Key Facts
Equality in society must start in school
RTE Act: Transform social structure
Article 21A: Free and compulsory education
Ensuring admission: National mission
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Social Justice, Education
Constitutional provisions related to education and equality
Government policies and schemes for promoting education
Visual Insights
More Information
Background
The concept of equal access to education has deep roots in India's socio-political reform movements. Pre-independence, reformers like Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule championed education for marginalized communities, particularly girls and lower castes. The Constitution of India enshrined the principle of equality and non-discrimination, laying the groundwork for policies aimed at ensuring equitable access to education.
The Kothari Commission (1964-66) emphasized education as a tool for social and national integration, advocating for a common school system. Subsequent policies, including the National Policy on Education (1986), reiterated the commitment to universal elementary education. The 93rd Constitutional Amendment, which inserted Article 21A, marked a significant milestone by making education a fundamental right.
The Right to Education Act, 2009 operationalized this right, mandating free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years.
Latest Developments
Recent developments highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable access to quality education. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes inclusive education and aims to reduce disparities in educational outcomes. Initiatives like the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan focus on improving school infrastructure and teacher training.
However, issues such as digital divide, socio-economic disparities, and inadequate resources continue to hinder the effective implementation of RTE. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, with many children from disadvantaged backgrounds facing disruptions in their education. Future outlook involves leveraging technology to bridge the digital divide, strengthening community participation in school governance, and addressing systemic inequalities to ensure that all children have access to quality education, irrespective of their socio-economic background.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009: 1. It mandates free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 6-14 years. 2. It requires all private schools to reserve 25% of their seats for children from economically weaker sections. 3. The Act applies to all schools, including unaided private schools. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three statements are correct. The RTE Act mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14, requires private schools to reserve 25% seats for EWS, and applies to all schools including unaided private schools.
2. Which of the following committees/commissions specifically addressed the issue of common school system in India?
- A.Radhakrishnan Commission
- B.Mudaliar Commission
- C.Kothari Commission
- D.National Knowledge Commission
Show Answer
Answer: C
The Kothari Commission (1964-66) strongly advocated for a common school system to promote social and national integration.
3. Assertion (A): Equality in society must begin in schools. Reason (R): Schools provide a common platform for children from diverse backgrounds to interact and learn together. In the context of the above, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why equality must begin in schools.
4. Which of the following is NOT a key objective of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan?
- A.Universal Access and Retention
- B.Bridging Gender and Social Category Gaps in Education
- C.Ensuring Quality Education and Enhancing Learning Outcomes
- D.Promoting privatization of primary education
Show Answer
Answer: D
Promoting privatization of primary education is not an objective of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. The scheme focuses on strengthening public education.