Abstract:
The Constitution of India has made a commitment to provide free and compulsory elementary education to all children up to the age of 14, through the directive principles (Article 45). The Supreme Court of India recognized elementary education as a Fundamental Right of every citizen in its judgment in Unnikrishnan case (1993). Elementary education is close to being realized as a Fundamental Right of all Indian citizens. This is the aim of the proposed 83rd constitutional amendment, which was introduced in Rajya Sabha in July 1997.
The task of providing basic Education for All (EFA), gained greater momentum after the National Policy of Education (NPE) 1986 which was revised in 1992.The Government of India, in partnership with the State Governments, has launched a variety of programmes to fulfill the constitutional obligations. Though significant
improvements are seen in various indicators, the ultimate goal of providing universal quality education for all remains to be achieved. With the launching of the Tenth Five-Year Plan, there is greater urgency to strive for Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE).
