PIL before Delhi High Court seeks direction to make RTE Act compulsory subject in all law schools
A PIL has been filed before the Delhi High Court to make RTE Act a compulsory subject in all Law Schools.
A Public Interest Litigation has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking direction for asking Bar Council of India (BCI) to make Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) a compulsory subject for all schools.
The division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad is likely to hear the matter tomorrow.
The PIL has been filed by Social Jurist- civil rights group highlighting the fact that Bar Council of India has failed to consider prescribing the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act, 2009) as compulsory subject in Centers of Legal Education.
The PIL has been filed by Advocates Ashok Agarwal and Kumar Utkarsh before the Delhi High Court.
“It is submitted that RTE Act, 2009 is a key child`s right for education and development of all children in the society. Unfortunately, RTE Act, 2009 has not been implemented in its true letter and spirit. Needless to say that, children population is around 40-45 percent of total population,” the PIL has mentioned.
The NGO has submitted that a representation was made by it on February 15, 2023 requesting the BCI to consider the matter before commencement of next academic year but no response was received. It has been mentioned in the PIL that RTE Act, 2009 is a key child’s right for education and development of all children in the society but it has not been implemented in its ‘true letter and spirit’.
“The action/inaction on part of respondent Bar Council of India violates fundamental right to education as guaranteed to lakhs of children under Articles 14, 21 and 21- A of the Constitution of India read with provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009,” the PIL mentioned.
The plea has further averred that there is a great responsibility on legal education system to “educate and equip lawyers” for recognition of violations of RTE Act, and for seeking justice for children’s right to education.
Case Title: Social Jurist, A Civil Rights Group vs. Bar Council of India