As per media reports, dated August 27, 2020, Chief Justice S.A. Bobdeled SC bench passed an order in favour of uniform education policy, in a plea, which sought directions for the government to ensure participation of all children, including those who belong to the weaker section of society, with regard to imparting elementary education during Covid-19 crisis. The plea, filed by a think tank, Good Governance Chambers, sought formulation of a ‘uniform education policy’ in every state for both government/ private schools regarding mode of education to minimise the digital divide being created by the new education practices amidst covid-19 crisis.
The plea claims that there are almost twenty-four crore children in the school education system across the country who have been adversely affected by the closing of schools. Inability of poor students, or those who belong to remote rural areas in accessing online education due to non-availability of digital devices for lack of economic constraint infringes their fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21A of Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Directions Sought via the Plea
The think tank has sought twelve directions which among others include directions for revised/ reduced curriculum/ syllabus for the current academic session.
The government should be directed to focus on radio education programmes on an urgent basis in order to enable the children belonging to the disadvantageous group to stay in touch with educational programmes.
Special policies/ guidelines should be formulated to encourage students affected by reverse migration who are prone to drop out of school.
A committee should be set up in each district consisting of officials from education department and local volunteers to identify children affected due to reverse migration and to enrol them in government schools depending upon their abilities and skills.
Courtesy: livemint.com
Kerala Start-up Gets Rs 1 Crore for Developing India’s Zoom