Odisha News, Odisha Latest news, Odisha Daily - OrissaPOST
  • Home
  • State
  • Metro
  • National
  • International
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Timeout
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Sci-Tech
  • Others
    • COVID-19
    • Today’s Pic
  • Home
  • State
  • Metro
  • National
  • International
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Timeout
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Sci-Tech
  • Others
    • COVID-19
    • Today’s Pic
No Result
View All Result
OrissaPOST - Odisha Latest news, English Daily -
No Result
View All Result

Opportunity to ensure equality

The vision of equal education for all can be realised only when elementary education is managed by the government itself

Updated: August 24th, 2019, 08:00 IST
in Edit
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on Linkedin

Ghasiram Panda


The National Education Policy of 1986, which called for special emphasis on removing disparities and equalising educational opportunities, was a milestone in India’s education—policy-making.

The Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, popularly known as RTE Act, enacted in 2009, took it to another level by recognising education as a fundamental right. As RTE created a paradigm shift in elementary education in India, a change in policy was also expected.

Of late, the central government has proposed a new educational policy, which is a welcome step. The age of children has been defined differently in different laws. The RTE Act defines those under 14 as children. But in the proposed national education policy, the scope of free and compulsory education has been expanded to the age of 18.

This proposal may have a positive impact on girls dropping out of school after the age of 14. Young girls drop out of school owing to the lack of opportunities. Currently free and compulsory education is up to 14, and schemes for girls such as the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya end with Class VIII. As a result, socially backward and/or economically disadvantaged children are unable to continue studies further. Hence many girl children are forced to stay at home. It often leads to early marriage.

Child brides under the age of 14 can be rescued and re-enrolled in schools for education, whereas girls in the age group 14 to 18 don’t have such scope as they fall beyond purview of free and compulsory education. In many cases, it is also difficult to enrol them in vocational or skill development training, as they are minors.

In such a context, if the age limit is raised to 18, as proposed by the new National Education Policy, it will surely help to address these issues. This will also be great support in preventing child marriages.

However, only expanding the age limit will not work. Owing to the lack of infrastructure, and adequate number of (quality) teachers, schools in the neighbourhood, many boys and girls find it difficult to access education. The draft policy proposes to engage volunteers in delivering teaching-learning process. A volunteer dependent system will not ensure consistency and sustainability. Facilitating classroom learning requires skills. Hence, no one without such specific training should be allowed. Volunteers may be useful in mobilising communities and children, but they are not suited for classroom transaction.

We are still in multi-grade and multi-class teaching-learning arrangement. This can be a stop-gap arrangement and should not be a permanent setup. Time has come to appoint teachers according to class and subject. Investment in improving education should not be considered a burden.

The draft policy proposes creating ‘school complexes’ by merging schools. The government has already taken measures to close down schools where enrolment of children is poor. While this is debatable and many are opposing the closure, the proposed policy seems to be in favour of the concept of school complex. The Orissa Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010, has defined schools in the ‘neighbourhood’ as 1 km for primary and 3 km for upper primary. The proposal for school complex may defeat this purpose.

Unless the school is available at an accessible distance, the expansion of age limit up to 18 will also not be feasible.

Tribal children lack interest in studies owing to language gap that results in dropouts. The draft policy proposes community engagement to bridge gaps in language teaching. Recruitment of teachers at the local level should be given preference to resolve this issue. This will help strengthen community ownership.

The new policy proposes relaxation of RTE for privately managed schools. This will be instrumental in ruining government-run schools and a cause for social inequality. The vision of equal education for all can be realised only when elementary education is managed by the government itself. The new education policy offers scope for this.

The writer works as programme manager, ActionAid India.

Tags: ActionAid IndiaCompulsory educationElementary educationNational Education Policy
ShareTweetSendShare
Suggest A Correction

Enter your email to get our daily news in your inbox.

Related Posts

(PC: religiondispatches.org)

Religion & State

July 6, 2022
Representational image (PC: gard.no)

Eco First, Biz Later

July 5, 2022
Representational image (PC: news.iium.edu.my)

Ragged to Death

July 4, 2022

This is New India

July 3, 2022

DASS Reshuffle

July 2, 2022
(PC: plus500.com)

Strategic Competition

June 29, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

OrissaPOST epaper Sunday POST OrissaPOST epaper

Click Here: Plastic Free Odisha

Plastic Free Odisha

Odisha Rajya Rogi Adhikar Mancha & Mangalabagh International Club workers

Odisha Rajya Rogi Adhikar Mancha & Mangalabagh International Club Workers support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Valena Valentina-Karate Player

Karate player Valena Valentina calls for a Plastic Free Odisha. Have You Joined the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Deepak Kumar-Actor

Deepak Kumar support a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you support the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Naveen Jindal-Enterpreneur

Naveen Jindal support a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you?  *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your Photos/Selfie ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Actress Bhoomika Dash

Actress Bhoomika Dash calls for a Plastic Free Odisha. Have You Joined the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our ...

August 30, 2018
Covaxin
Christmas

Bharat Biotech rubbishes criticism, says its vaccine is safe    

New Delhi/Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech rejected Monday criticism over the grant of emergency use authorisation by India’s drug regulator to ...

January 5, 2021
Plastic Free Odisha

Archita Sahu, Actress

Archita Sahu support a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Sri Aurobindo School students & teachers

Sri Aurobindo School students & teachers of Sambalpur support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Balibil Nodal School students

Balibil Nodal School students support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Actor Sritam Das

Actor Sritam Das supports a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Miteish Khimji,Entrepreneur

Miteish Khimji supports a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Gandhi College Plus III science students of Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar

Gandhi Plus III science students of Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar support a plastic free Odisha. Do you?   *Visit our website orissapost.com. ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Sundargarh Public School teachers

Sundargarh Public School teachers support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Hinjili Police

Hinjili Police support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your Photos/Selfie ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

BJB Autonomous College-Bhubaneswar

BJB Autonomous college students support a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

IMT Pharmacy College-Puri

IMT Pharmacy College students call for a Plastic Free Odisha. Have You Joined the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Students of Tulasipur Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Cuttack

Students of Tulasipur Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Cuttack call for a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you support the movement? *Visit our ...

August 29, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

National School Kujang

National School students Kujang Jagatsinghpur district support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Srikumar Misra-Entrepreneur

Srikumar Misra supports a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Korei college students

Korei college students support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Bhubaneswar Bar Association Lawyer Liberty Trust

Bhubaneswar Bar Association Lawyer Liberty Trust supports plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Akash Dasnayak, Actor

Akash Dasnayak, Actor supports a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

High school students of Sambalpur district

High school students of Sambalpur district support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Olympian Dutee Chand

Olympian Dutee Chand calls for a Plastic Free Odisha. Have You Joined the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Olympian Anuradha Biswal

Olympian Anuradha Biswal supports a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Ratikant Mohapatra,Odissi Dance Director

Ratikant Mohapatra support a plastic free odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Gandhi Science Higher Secondary School in Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar

Gandhi Science Higher Secondary School students of Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar support a plastic free Odisha. Do you?   *Visit our website ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Sabyasachi Mishra, Actor

Sabyasachi Mishra calls for a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you support the movement? *Visit our website www.orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page ...

August 29, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Sudarsan Pattnaik,Sand Artist

Sudarsan Pattnaik support a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you?  *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your Photos/Selfie ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Sundargarh Public School students

Sundargarh Public School students support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) ...

October 2, 2018

Archives

Editorial

Religion & State

(PC: religiondispatches.org)
July 6, 2022

According to a Pew Research Center survey in March of this year, 61% of Americans believe that abortion should be...

Read more

Eco First, Biz Later

Representational image (PC: gard.no)
July 5, 2022

A countrywide ban on manufacture, import, production and sale of single use plastic items has been announced by the Central...

Read more

Ragged to Death

Representational image (PC: news.iium.edu.my)
July 4, 2022

The death of a girl student by suicide due to ragging by seniors should not have come as a surprise...

Read more

This is New India

July 3, 2022

The jailing of Mohammed Zubair is the latest in a line of miscarriages of justice India’s government is inflicting on...

Read more
  • Home
  • State
  • Metro
  • National
  • International
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Sports
  • Sci-Tech
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Career
Developed By Ratna Technology

© 2020 All rights Reserved by OrissaPOST

  • Home
  • Metro
  • State
  • National
  • International
  • IPL
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Feature
  • Opinion
  • Sci-Tech
  • COVID-19
  • Today’s Pic
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Career
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2020 All rights Reserved by OrissaPOST