Education soon to be a fundamental right

New Delhi: Speaking at the second meeting of the Regional Forum of Ministers of Social Development of Saarc here, Arjun Singh said a provision of free and compulsory education for children in the age group of 6 to 14 years has already been declared as a fundamental right in the constitution.

 

"We would soon come out with a law to make education a fundamental right. The process for this has already begun," the minister informed the forum.

 

Describing education as the most critical aspect of social development, Arjun Singh said the society couldn't afford to leave it to the private players alone.

 

"There are restrictions of funds, but we cannot succumb to temptations of the market forces," he added.

 

Arjun Singh explained that the expansion of opportunities, especially in regards to accessing education, should reach the marginalized sections of the society, and said a nine-fold allocation proposed for education in the 11th Five Year Plan would target to achieve this goal.

 

Ministers of social development of South Asian countries, from Maldives, Afghanistan, and ministers of women, child and social welfare from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan also took part in the meeting.

 

The purpose of the forum is to establish a network among the countries of the region to address issues related to social justice and development and contribute to the policy making process.

 

Source: IANS

 

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