Right To Information For Protection Of Child Rights In India

A. Archana and Prof. (Dr) M. Sarojanamma

ABSTRACT

A child is a priceless asset to any society and is unquestionably important to the growth of the nation. The UNCRC is a human rights treaty that sets the political, civil, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children. It is an international agreement that is legally binding on the members. The convention identifies a child as a human being below the age of 18. The UNCRC acknowledges that every child is entitled to fundamental rights, and some of the most important rights are as (a) Right to life, survival and development. (b) Right to education that facilitates them to reach their full potential (c) Right to protection from abuse, violence or neglect(d)Right to express opinions and be heard and (e) Right to be raised by or have a relationship with their parents.

Indian Constitution is known to be a document committed to social and economic justice. The Indian Constitution has therefore recognized education as the essence of social transformation by providing special provisions under Part-III, 1V and IVA. The 'right to education' flows directly from right to life.' According to Article 21 A “The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all the children of the age of 6 to 14 years in such manner as the state may, by law determine”.

The Right to Education Act, 2009 explains that schools have duty to give information to local bodies or Government. Section 12(3) says “every person shall provide such information as may be required by the appropriate government or local authority as the case may be. If school is established by the government or aided, it has to provide that information as public authority under Right to Information Act, 2005 to every citizen seeking that information. Hence RTI provides all the protection to the children.

Keywords: Rights to Education, Free and Compulsory Education, Right to Information, Accountability, Public Participation, Child Rights.