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EDUCATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE...
As a teacher for over 33 years, including 9 years as a principal of a primary school in South Australia, I know that Education is a right of ALL. It’s the key to a better childhood, and a better future for children, their communities and their countries. It is the responsibility of the state and a core element of any development policy committed to social justice. Yet for many children worldwide, the right to education remains unfulfilled. While the global number of out-of-school children have declined over the past 15 years , there are still estimates that as much as 61 million children are out of school. 

In addition, cultural  and social beliefs, attitudes, and practices prevent girls from benefitting from educational opportunities to the same extent as boys. In fact, for every 100 boys of out school, there are still 117 girls in the same situation.

Healthy facilities, good teachers and quality resources are also factors to achievement and engagement of children attending school, These factors fall into great shortages in the world most poverty stricken areas. 
My heart believes... Every child has rights no matter who they are, where they live or what they believe. These rights are enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). 

Every child has the right to an education that respects and develops their personality and abilities.
This means children also have the responsibility to make the most of their education and respect the abilities of others. 
Every child has the right to be treated equally and know their worth.
This means children have the responsibility to treat others with respect. 

Every child has the right to feel safe, live in a safe environment and be protected from neglect and abuse.
This means that children also have the responsibility to help others feel safe and protected. 

Every child has the right to live a full life, survive and grow up healthy.
This means children also have the responsibility to help make sure people in need also enjoy this right. 

For full 'Rights of the Child' go to... http://www.unicef.org.au/discover/Educational-Resources



I have a choice to act when I see this is not the case for some children's lives... so I do. See Projects page for how.

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Girls in Education

Globally, 1 in 5 girls around the world is denied an education by the daily realities of poverty, violence and discrimination. Every day, girls are taken out of school, married far too young, and subjected to violence in school. Not only is this unjust, it’s also a huge waste of potential with serious global consequences.Millions of girls are being denied an education right at a time when it has the power to transform their lives and the world around them. Making it through both primary and secondary education is critical to girls being able to help break the cycle of poverty.

A girl who makes it through both high quality primary and secondary education is...
  • less likely to experience violence or marry and have children whilst she is still a child.
  • more likely to be literate, healthy and survive into adulthood, as are her children.
  • more likely to reinvest her income back into her family, community and country.
  • more likely to understand her rights and be a force for change.
  • Investing in girls is both smart economics and the right thing to do.
  • Educating girls is one of the strongest ways not only to improve gender equality, but to promote economic growth and the healthy development of families, communities and nations.
  • Despite tremendous progress in getting girls into school, the global community must commit to making sure education counts and that it reaches the most marginalized girls who need it the most.

Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009

Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education ActProvides for free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years

The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act came into force from April 1, 2010. This is was a historic day for the people of India as from this day the right to education will be accorded the same legal status as the right to life as provided by Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. Every child in the age group of 6-14 years will be provided 8 years of elementary education in an age appropriate classroom in the vicinity of his/her neighbourhood.

Any cost that prevents a child from accessing school will be borne by the State which shall have the responsibility of enrolling the child as well as ensuring attendance and completion of 8 years of schooling. No child shall be denied admission for want of documents; no child shall be turned away if the admission cycle in the school is over and no child shall be asked to take an admission test. Children with disabilities will also be educated in the mainstream schools. The Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh has emphasized that it is important for the country that if we nurture our children and young people with the right education, India’s future as a strong and prosperous country is secure.

All private schools shall be required to enroll children from weaker sections and disadvantaged communities in their incoming class to the extent of 25% of their enrolment, by simple random selection. No seats in this quota can be left vacant. These children will be treated on par with all the other children in the school and subsidized by the State at the rate of average per learner costs in the government schools (unless the per learner costs in the private school are lower).

All schools will have to prescribe to norms and standards laid out in the Act and no school that does not fulfill these standards within 3 years will be allowed to function. All private schools will have to apply for recognition, failing which they will be penalized to the tune of Rs 1 lakh and if they still continue to function will be liable to pay Rs 10,000 per day as fine. Norms and standards of teacher qualification and training are also being laid down by an Academic Authority. Teachers in all schools will have to subscribe to these norms within 5 years.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has been mandated to monitor the implementation of this historic Right. A special Division within NCPCR will undertake this huge and important task in the coming months and years. A special toll free helpline to register complaints will be set up by NCPCR for this purpose. NCPCR welcomes the formal notification of this Act and looks forward to playing an active role in ensuring its successful implementation.

NCPCR also invites all civil society groups, students, teachers, administrators, artists, writers, government personnel, legislators, members of the judiciary and all other stakeholders to join hands and work together to build a movement to ensure that every child of this country is in school and enabled to get at least 8 years of quality education.

Benefits of Right to Education Act, 2009RTE has been a part of the directive principles of the State Policy under Article 45 of the Constitution, which is part of Chapter 4 of the Constitution. And rights in Chapter 4 are not enforceable. For the first time in the history of India we have made this right enforceable by putting it in Chapter 3 of the Constitution as Article 21. This entitles children to have the right to education enforced as a fundamental right.


Official Bill
  • www.education.nic.in/Elementary/free%20and%20compulsory.pdf
  • www.scribd.com/doc/26778778/Right-Of-Children-to-Free-and-Compulsory-Education-Act-Model-Rules