SOCIO –ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Education is an essential and integral component for human development, and consequently it may be regarded as a basic right, beyond security and subsistence. It helps to overcome exploitations and the traditional inequalities of caste, class and gender. It is a preparation for living in a better way in future with an ability to participate successfully in the modern economy and society. The founding fathers of Indian Constitution had the vision of time bound policy of free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years. This was introduced as a Directive Principles of State Policy. One of the most important developments in educational sphere is insertion of Article 21-A to the Constitution by the 86th Amendment in 2002, which state, “ The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years in such manner as the State may, be law, determine”. The Amendment replaced Article 45 by a new provision that says, “The State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years”. It introduced new fundamental duty (K) under Article 51-A, which enjoins, “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India who is parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and 14 years.”