The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution charged the State to provide free primary education to all children. This direction remained a dead letter till public pressure began to mount that the State meets this obligation. Primary education is a burning issue today. It is being argued that primary education is the lifeblood of the nation because nation’s development is based on the future of its children.

Over the past few years the public clamor over primary education has prompted the state to undertake several steps to ensure universalisation of primary education. However,there are still many loopholes and shortfalls as a result of which adequate progress is not being achieved. It is, therefore, appropriate to discuss the right to primary education as now enshrined in the Indian Constitution and its reality.

In most countries, it is compulsory for children to receive primary education (though in many jurisdictions it is permissible for parents to provide it). Primary education is generally provided during four to seven years of schooling. The statutes in India contain specific provisions in relation to a child. Under the Apprentices Act, 1961, A person is qualified to be engaged as an apprentice only if he is not less than fourteen years of age, and satisfied such standards of a s may be prescribed. Under education and physical fitness the Indian Penal Code,nothing done by a child under the age of 7 years is an offence.Under the Factories Act, 1948, A child below 14 years of age is not allowed to work in any factory.Under the Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1966 – Child means a person who has not completed fourteenth year of age.

Although there is confusion over the age of a child, we may say that a child is a person of age until fourteen years.

The 93rd Constitutional Amendment Act, better known as the Education Bill, has now been enforced in India. Under the new Act, education has been made a fundamental right. Article 45 of the Constitution states about Free and Compulsory Education for all children till they complete the age of fourteen years. Tamil Nadu has legislated compulsory primary education in 1994. There are a number of initiatives at national and regional levels aimed at realization of the child’s rights to education.

It is well known that India is a developing country,and in every developing country, there is lack of resources. This lack is reflected in Indian primary education system. The government has managed to launch a spate of promotional schemes, but they have proved to be of little help.

There are various reasons why India is so backward in the field of education, mainly primary education, which is lagging behind, as there are not sufficient measures to maintain the level of primary education.

Free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of fourteen years is Constitutional commitment in India. The Government of India has initiated a number of programs to achieve the goal of universalisation of Elementary Education. For successful implementation of any educational programme, effective monitoring coupled with efficient information system, is essential.

To conclude, the state of primary education in the country is dismal and needs considerable improvement. Many organizations are working towards promotion of primary education. If public pressure in favour of primary education continues, there is hope that the situation may be ameliorated in the near future.

Measures Taken by the Government

1.5 lakh teachers to be employed under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan To spend Rs 10,041 cr on Mid Day Meal scheme About 1, 77,000 new teachers, including Shiksha karmis have been appointed. About 3380 resources centers at block level and 29725 centers at clusters level have been set up for providing academic support and teachers training facilities. School library programs have been taken Awareness programs Government policies for primary education

Steps required to be taken

Extra incentives to the parents. Individual counseling of parents.Proper enforcement of existing programs.Availability of books in all languages.India’s commitment to the cause of children is

as old as its civilization. The child is believed tobe God’s gift that must be nurtured with care and affection within the family and the society. Unfortunately, due to socio-economic factors the incidence of neglect, abuse and deprivation, particularly in the poverty-afflicted sections of the society, has gradually increased. So we may say that children are the subjects of conflict.

EDUCATION PROMOTIONAL SCHEMES

Mid Day Meal Scheme

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

Education Guarantee Scheme and Alternative &

Innovative Education.

National Program for Education of Girls at Elementary Level.

Joint Review Mission.

District Primary Education Programme. Launched in November, 1994

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidhyalya.

Teacher Education.Programme of mobilizing local support to primary school Proposed Legislation on Free and Compulsory Education. Right to Education Bill – 2005. Operation Blackboard launched in 1987, Shiksha Karmi Project being implemented since 1987 Primary or elementary education consists of formal, structured education that is provided during childhood.

– LawZ Bureau