Free and Compulsory Education Does it Includes the Marginalized People of India?

Abstract

The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act has come into force from April 1, 2010 in order to bring the marginalized groups into the mainstream. From this day, the age groups of 6–14 years are provided 8 years of free and compulsory elementary education. The Prime Minister Shri Mannwhan Singh has emphasized that if the children are given right education, India's future will be strong and prosperous. Does the Free and Compulsory education Policy include the marginalized children? Inclusive education means the education of all children, in spite of differences, difficulties and problems, and to maintain a vision of common school for all. Such a school accepts all children, understands their individuality and responds to their individual needs: a school for all is a place where every child can develop according to his/her abilities, skills and talents. Unless and until the common school system is not given emphasis, the policy will fail to achieve the objective. The standard of education offered in government run school is too low in comparison to private run school. The processes of privatization make education more accessible to the higher caste and economically sound people, whereas the marginalized, disadvantaged, and isolated groups are left behind. Critics of privatization claim those conflicts with the right to free and reasonably priced education for all, as well as threatening the integrity and independence of educational curricula. Against these backdrops, the paper will analyze how privatization of education is huddle to inclusive education policy.