RTE not implemented in Telangana, say activists

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE) is not being implemented in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh say activists. Mazhair Hussain an activist said, “Out of 29 states in India, 16 states are implementing RTE Act. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh aren’t implementing this being the sates of strong governance. In 2016 we filed a PIL against this where in High Court gave an Oral Judgement to amend the act in 2 weeks. It’s been 2 years but there are no amendments. We have to raise our voices against this.”

Lubna Sarwat, says “Every child should be treated equal. According to RTE Act, children should be enrolled in their age appropriate classes. When countries like Brazil are implementing by connecting education with other provisions why can’t India do, being the biggest Democracy. There shouldn’t be any segregation of schools like minority school, SC School or Muslim School. Every classroom should be a mini India.

The state Governments which have not implemented the act argue that they are strengthening their government schools and do not wish to implement the act and send their students to private schools and the argument of the private schools are that the state governments are reimbursing very little for the students they have admitted under the Act.

Sandeep Pandey, an activist said, “50% of Indian children don’t have access to quality education out of which half are involved in Child Labour. Unless our kids get quality education and good health the nation wont progress. Health and Education are correlated.