Press notice

November 8, 2006

Activists throw spotlight on inadequate Education Bill. 
Demand ‘Common School System’ solution


More than 50 per cent of Indian school children drop out before completing eight years. Most are from depressed rural areas and urban slums, a disproportionate number are girls. This group deserves special attention, not only in education policy and planning but at implementation stage.

Child rights and education activists are outraged that the promised 6% GDP allocation towards education remains a dream with just 3% committed and that the Right to Education Bill still exists in draft form only and fails to address key concerns over equality.

On Sunday, education campaigners and poor communities from across India are coming together at the India Social Forum in a special event to reinvigorate demands for government to make provision for a ‘common school system’. They hope this new ‘breakthrough system’ will extend the reach of elementary education to all children, irrespective of economic status or social background. .

Testimonies from children, parents and teachers will illustrate the education problems and share local success stories from around the country including 'bridge schools' which have enabled children from diverse backgrounds to enter or remain in mainstream school, including children of migratory brick kiln workers who miss months of formal school each year.

Speakers include Prof. Anil Sadgopal, member of the committee on Central Advisory Board of Education, on the Right to Education Bill; Prof Shanta Sinha, discussing education and child labour; Mr Avani Baral from the Orissa Teachers’ Union; and Prof. Muchkund Dubey, Former Foreign Secretary and Co-Chair of People’s Campaign for Common School System.


Also, Dr. Vasanti Devi, Former VC, Madras University, Prof Tilak, National University for Education Planning and Administration and Ambrish Rai, Convener of PCCSS.

Venue details: Right to Education and ‘Common School System’, 12 November 2006, 9am–12.30pm, North Bajari, Hall P4, Exhibition Ground, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. 

For more information and to arrange interviews: Alice: 9810923904; Pragya: 9868424692; Anjali: 9899370715


ENDS