ENSURING FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN INDIA: A FACT CHECK

Abstract

The notion of Education For All was launched in 1990, popularised by UNESCO to integrate international efforts to provide free and compulsory primary education to the children, without any kinds of prejudices and discrimination. The EFA goals which were finalised after several meetings and conferences found their representation in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and later in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The common goal to be achieved by all countries was the provision of free, compulsory and quality education to all the children along with the associated objectives of providing quality education through all means to the citizens; whether it be formal, informal or non-formal. India has a long tradition of educational history that revolve around the goal of provision of quality education for all. The present paper is an attempt to overlook all the efforts made by the Government of India towards achieving the goal of universal free education.