Sustainable future aim of RTE Act - D. Purandeswari

Vijayawada: Minister of State for Human Resource Development (HRD) D.
Purandeswari called the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
Education (RTE) Act 2009was a historic legislation that aimed at
increasing the literacy rate throughout the country and effectively
achieve the universal elementary education in India.

D. Purandeswari was speaking at the valedictory of a regional workshop
that was organized by the Rajiv Vidya Mission Krishna district on
Friday.

"There has been an observation that literacy levels should be around
80 percent for a country to sustain its growth and development
process. The gross enrollment ratio should also touch 20 percent. The
plans of the UPA government are addressing these issues," she said.

She further asserted that the Indian government had introduced the RTE
Act after a range of wide consultations and there should not be any
reason to doubt or fear over the implementation of the act. "If any of
the states encounter any problem at the field level, they will be
provided support by the Centre," she stated.

Purandeswari affirmed the commitment of the Central government to
bringing dropout students back to school. She informed that Rs.2.31
lakh crore had been allocated for a period of five years to achieve
the goals of the RTE Act throughout the country.

She also pointed out that the states were unwilling to bear the 45
percent share for the implementation of RTE, the Centre will offer to
reduce the burden by 10 percent and make the agree to implement the
RTE.

The HRD minister of state also asked teachers to make efforts for
creating global and responsible citizens and help in leading the
country towards the 21st century that is knowledge driven.

She also informed that efforts were currently on to strengthen
education related programmes. A trial ahs also been carried out for
providing nutritious food to 13 crore students. Purandeswari asked
teachers, NGOs and departments to participate actively in passing the
benefits of the RTE Act to the disadvantaged.

Talking about the School of Planning and Architecture in Vijayawada,
D. Purandeswari said that the classes for institute were currently
being held at the Acharya Nagarjuna University and a complete building
will be developed when the land is provided by the state government.

She informed that around 10 acres of land had been provided earlier on
the Government Polytechnic College premises but it had not been
adequate.