Mangalore: Experts stress on children's right to education
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Mar 12: "Education is the solution to all problems. Let us join hands and help others in obtaining education," said Dr Umesh Aradhya, president of Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
He addressed the gathering during an interaction programme on ‘The right of children to free and compulsory education (RTE) Act of 2009’ held at SDM College on Tuesday March 12.
Upadhya further said, "There are various rights in the Constitution, but still some people are in the dark.This needs urgent attention. Education has become costlier these days and with this in view, in order to make education compulsory, RTE Act was enforced.
"The need for education was felt 800 years back. A literate man can easily sell chilies but for an illiterate person it is difficult even to sell honey," he added.
Dr Aradhya called upon people to help others in gaining education which is the greatest contribution one can give it to the nation.
He also appreciated the implementation of RTE in South Canara and wished the interaction be useful to people.
Prof Mahesh Nayak said the RTE Act, which was passed by the Indian parliament on August 4, 2009, stresses on the importance of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 years under Article 21a of the Constitution. "Ages 1 to 6 are the crucial stages of learning for a child," he added.
"People say education is the road to success which transforms life of an individual, but more than that, it helps in earning one's livelihood. It is unfortunate that most of the government schools are shut down. Parents opt for private school thinking that it provides good education," he said.
During the interaction programme, a few of the RTE violation cases were discussed. Alwyn D’Souza, father of a 13-year-old autistic child said that the child was being neglected in school and the management had asked him to admit him to a special school, to which he refused.
"The matter was also brought to the notice of district public education department but no action has been taken so far. Justice should be done," he said.
In response, Asha Nayak, chief of child welfare committee, Dakshina Kannada said that the incident was a gross violation of child rights and that it was not brought to the notice of CWD. "The behavior of the management in this particular case was cruel and if it continues, I promise my help from the CWD department," she assured.
Vasudev Sharma, a child rights activist asked whether Alwyn had complained to the school management committee (SMC) which is the first authority for addressing grievances, to which Alwyn replied in the negtive. "Most of the schools do not have the facility of SMCs which are a must. We need to bring this matter to the notice of officials concerned," Vasudeva said.
"In most of the private schools, no special training is given to teachers to handle such students but in government schools, it is done and that is one of the major differences between private and government schools," he pointed out.
Ramila Shekar, member of child justice board congratulated Alwyn for his brave effort in supporting his child. "Autism is a spectrum disorder and the problem is that the child is not able to understand things. Such children have to go to normal schools. The child will improve only if proper training is given and if teachers are supportive," she said.
"In this regard mass awareness should be created among people. All the 17 social work colleges of the city should join together in this regard," she added.