I agree with you that Aatuvas that this is a complex issue and with Sunil that in such cases we tend to end up with summary decisions. Like Apurva and D! I too idealistically hope that it gets implemented, although I understand the cynicism of Suresh and wonder along with James about whether at all violators can be brought to book. James and Kesava have raised the very valid point of reviving the near-dead government schools that were set up in the first place using tax-payers’ money and with the noble objective of making education accessible to one and all. Social integration in the classroom is indeed a very sensitive issue and like The Fool (I find it very difficult to address you thus) says here there are possibilities of numerous questions cropping up; but I have tremendous hope in the innate and unadulterated wisdom of children in finding a way out miraculously where we adults would probably hit a cul-de-sac. Shalini’s kid already bears testimony to that.

A special thanks to James for pointing out the inexplicably resistant stance taken by minority institutions on this issue – an angle that I had missed.

The vision of a better future keeps us alive and motivates us to keep pushing the mythical stone to its destination.

A disappointing feature of the SC judgemnt is the exclusion of the minority institutions from the purview of the RTE act. It simply does not stand to reason. In its judgement, the honourable judges pointed out that the implementation of the Act in minority institutions would lead to a change in their ‘minority’ character. What the government failed to point out was that most of these minority institutions do not cater to any minority interest, but merely use education as a means to fill their kitty. Even before the judgement was delivered, the minority groups had made it clear that they would not abide by the provisions of the Act. It is really difficult to understand their reluctance to embrace the Act. Most of these institutions are run by religious groups who swear by their love for their less privileged brethren. Shouldn’t they have then welcomed the Act as an opportunity to fulfill their social obligations?

The Social integration in the classroom is a valid point you have raised. Children from the lower strata who are admitted in the elitist schools would end up with a debilitating inferiortiy complex. Moreover, with little support from the family and without private coaching, how are the RTE kids going to cope with their academic work?

As it so often happens in the country, this Act is more likely to be honoured more in the breach than the observance. Most private institutions must have already found ways and means to circumvent the Act. Even if flagrant violations of the Act are brought to the notice of the government, will it be able to bring the violators to book?

Loved the post and have an idealistic hope that maybe this will make education less of a business.