New Delhi: The government on Thursday approved
introduction of a bill in Parliament to amend the Right To
Education Act to include disabled children under its ambit.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, gave the approval for introduction of the bill for
carrying out amendments in the Right of Children to Free and
Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which was passed by Parliament
in July this year.
The Act provides for free and compulsory education as a
fundamental right of every child in the 6-14 age bracket and
earmarks 25 per cent of the seats to children from
economically weaker sections in private schools.
The government decided to amend the Act keeping in view
the demand of groups working for the disabled children. These
groups have been putting pressure on the government to ensure
that disabled children are covered by the Act.
The amendment will provide for special rights to pursue
free and compulsory elementary education to children with
disabilities as defined in the National Trust for Welfare of
Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and
Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999, Information and Broadcasting
Minister Ambika Soni said.
PTI
