Right To Education During COVID-19
Being a fundamental
right it is important for enforcement of right to education in an
uncompromising manner. But the problem arises whether this right is enforceable
like other fundamental rights. The outbreak of COVID-19 was declared as
pandemic by World Health Organisation (WHO)
COVID-19 is a
respiratory disease accompanied by fever and dry cough. It is spreads through
coming in contact with an infected person. It was first observed in Wuhan,
China in December 2019 and was declared as a pandemic by WHO in March 2020 as
it spread across the world infecting many people
An epidemic disease is one
“affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person
in a locality wherze the disease is not permanently prevalent “
Despite of the best
tries to deliver education through online modes the challenge still arises to
reach out to economically weaker section (EWS) students as they don’t have the access to technology and as a result their
right to education is not being enforced properly. As it has been submitted that right to education is a fundamental
right under Article 21 of Indian constitution and a human right under Article
26 of UDHR and Articles 13 and 14 of the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, it is important for their enforcement in
every situation. Since Article 19 is restricted as there is a restriction in
movement and it is challenging to enforce Article 21A as it seems to be
difficult to acquire education without physically being present to the
educational institutions. But many institutions are shifting to online video
calls or conference methods to impart education. Classes are being held through
online modes to ensure that there is minimum loss to students in terms of
education. Many education control bodies like CBSE, UGC, etc have made
regulations regarding online education methods for their affiliated
institutions. This shows that government is trying its best to impart
education. The problem arises with respect to economically weaker sections that
may not be having the access to modes to technology to receive education online
or electronically.
In my opinion as far
as people with appropriate means are having access to education through online
modes but the economically weaker sections (EWS) are unable to access education
due to unavailability of proper resources. The government should take steps to
provide education to the EWS children as their fundamental right is not being
enforced. This also somehow violates their right to equality under Article14.
Thus, taking appropriate steps like providing students with technological means
and other necessary resources required for accessing online education, will
ensure enforcement of Article 21A and Article 14 of the EWS as well.
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