NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Monday sought responses of the Center and state govts on a PIL seeking fair implementation of provisions of free and compulsory education at the pre-primary level as provided under National Education Policy 2020 and bringing this within the ambit of right to education guaranteed under Article 21A of the Constitution. Petitioner Haripriya Patel’s counsel said that though over 60% of children in rural areas and 30% of children in urban areas were dependent on govt schools for their education, an inadequate number of teachers and lack of access to information and technology tools at these institutions are stunting education at the most crucial stage of life of children, especially those belonging to the marginalized sections. The petitioner urged SC to set up an independent monitoring authority or court-monitored oversight committee, comprising experts and NCERT representatives.
