A “Mahagathbandhan” among political parties is required on education: Mr. Husain Dalwai
A Roundtable Meeting with Parliamentarians and Political Parties held by RTE Forum
A Roundtable Meeting with Parliamentarians and Political Parties was organised by the Right to Education Forum (RTE Forum), alongwith Campaign against Child Labour (CACL) and Alliance for the Right to Early Childhood Development at the Constitution Club of India.
The meeting put forward the demands listed in the RTE Education Manifesto, collaboratively developed by these three networks, for their inclusion into the probable election manifestos of various political parties for the forthcoming general elections in 2019.
Speaking on the occasion, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Mr. Madhusudan Mistry said,
“It’s imperative to pay more attention towards education. For this, a firm and honest political will is required. Education is a field which doesn’t yield immediate results but its impacts are far‐reaching. This is very tragic to see that education does not figure in the priority list of this government at the Centre. Focus has been shifted to trivial controversies. I will share these demands mentioned in your manifesto with my party leadership. And I am sure that my party will not disappoint you.”
In his address, Samajwadi Party General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member Mr. Ravi Prakash Verma observed, “This government is deliberately diluting the provisions of Right to Education (RTE) Act and Child Labour (Prevention) Act. By diluting RTE Act, a conscious conspiracy is going on to deprive the children of Other Backward Castes (OBCs), Dalits and minorities of education. Because of dilution of Child Labour Act the menace of child trafficking has gone up. We can’t allow such situation to prevail in a democracy like ours. ”
Expressing his solidarity with the cause of education, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Mr. Pradeep Tamta said, “The government at the
Rajya Sabha member and Samajwadi Party leader Mr. Javed Ali Khan said, “I fully agree with all 12 points in your manifesto. Education is the key for development. I am sorry to say that more attention is being paid to divisive agenda these days and the issue of education is being ignored. Earlier, I used to think that “No Detention Policy” was a right step. But it’s not. It deprives a child from education. One can become a wrestler only when he is allowed to remain on the mat during training. Similar is the case with children. If a child fails, it’s not his or her fault. It’s the fault of his/her teacher.”
Senior CPI (M) leader and Lok Sabha member Mohammad Salim said, “We must understand that education is a political issue. This is an era where schools are not being opened by the government. On the contrary, schools are facing closure in the name of quality education! We, as a political party, sincerely believe that commercialization of education should be stopped completely and immediately. We oppose all moves of making education costly.”
BJD leader and Lok Sabha Member Mr. Balbhadra Majhi, in his address, said, “It’s evident from the facts that educational scenario has become worst wherever it’s been handed over to private sector. There are numerous examples which have proved that private players can’t do justice with education. The shabby treatment meted out to education by the government, it doesn’t seem that we are in a socialist democracy. We will incorporate your demands in our manifesto as it’s a matter our future.”
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Mr. Husain Dalwai said, “The present government at the Centre is least bothered about education. Those who are currently sitting at helms believe that children of downtrodden section don’t need education. I sincerely believe that there should be a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (Grand alliance) among political parties on the issue of education.”
Explaining the need and importance of the Roundtable Meeting with Parliamentarians and Political Parties, Mr. Ambarish Rai, National Convener, Right to Education Forum said, “As you are aware that 2019 will be a watershed year for India. The upcoming general elections next year will be an appropriate opportunity for the people of this country to demand a commitment from political parties to secure the rights of our children, particularly their education. In the recent years, we have seen how things have gone from bad to worst in terms of education. If we don’t assert this time and loose this opportunity, the future generation will not forgive us. So, we are morally bound to raise this important issue with full force. It’s shameful that still more than 90% schools are not compliant with RTE norms even after 8 years of the enactment of the RTE Act, 2009. ”
Earlier, welcoming the parliamentarians and other participants, Mr. Ashok Kumar, National Advocacy Convener, Campaign against Child Labour, said, “Child labour is a big blot on this country. Without eradicating this menace our country can’t progress further. It is imperative to ban it completely and substantially.”
In the RTE Education Manifesto, the three networks have laid emphasis on complete implementation of the RTE Act, 2009 and extend the purview of RTE Act 2009 from birth to 18 years. They also asked the government to ensure at least 6 percent budget of GDP for Education. They also desired to stop inequality in education and move towards a 'common school system'
These networks were of the view that government must strengthen SMCs and community participation in education. They also asked the government to ensure the total eradication of child labour up to the age of 18 years.
They also requested all elected peoples' representatives take concrete steps for universal, quality, and equitable public education in safe and secure environment until 18 years of age.
They also wanted a ban on commercialization and privatization of education and bring a strong regulatory act to control fee hike and strengthen the accountability of private schools and ECCE Centres.
They also demanded government to not to amend “No Detention Policy” provisioned in section 16 of the Right to Education Act, 2009 and stop mass scale closure of government schools in the name of merger and re‐open those that have been closed.
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