2nd Prize Winning Essay in Write for Rights by Shrutika Wadkar

2nd Prize Winning Essay in 'Write for Rights' Essay-Writing Competition 

(Human Rights Week.)

By Shrutika Wadkar, TYBA, Wilson College.


It is said that 'Education is the most effective means of social justice and personal advancement. There is no better investment than that in education to improve the future of society.’

Education is a fundamental right, because education is an important means to fulfil the aspirations of our country, and the Right to Education Act makes education a Fundamental Right for every child between the age of six and fourteen years.

Even if such a right or similar laws are made for the citizens of a country, the success and reach of the law depends on how the officials, the concerned people understand and implement it. But there are a number of factors that have plagued the implementation of this provision. I would highlight two areas here.


A massive violation of the Right to Education is in the tribal areas where the children have not even entered the school premises. The Indian constitution also contains provisions that ensures education to these minorities, for example Article 30 which talks about establishing and administering educational institutions. Article 46 that promotes the educational and economic interests of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections of the society. 


However, despite having these laws, the education system has hardly been able to cater to the needs of the tribals. Also, the tribal children don't have an educational background and are unaware of any other language than their mother tongue. Above that, tribal communities give less importance to the education of a girl child thus she ends up being most neglected. 


Thus when we talk about ensuring education for all, it should reach the beneficiary in a way that really helps them.


Right to Education for tribals can be ensured in such a way that engages them in the process. Their education can be supported in both the tribal as well as state languages. There is a need to win the confidence of the parents by widely publicising the provisions regarding free and compulsory education. Their learning material should be prepared keeping in view the socio-cultural and economic conditions of the tribals. Further, working with tribal leaders and empowering the tribal youth can help create an enabling environment for cooperation in sensitisation programs on the importance of education. Taking into consideration the current situation, the Pandemic has created its own pressure on the education sector. The Right to Education was again highly violated during this period. Due to non availability or inadequate number of smart phones as well as difficulty in using apps, students were not able to access classes. Children with disabilities found it more difficult to participate in online sessions. Thus a large number of the student population was deprived of their fundamental right. 


Not only in these two instances but in many others, the Right to Education has been violated. Development of scientific temper (a fundamental duty) and spirit of enquiry by education is important and right to education is more than a right. And efforts need to be taken in the direction to ensure that this right is not violated because education is the one of the keys to transform the children of a country into assets for the same.

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