With reference to the Right to Education under Article 21 A of the Indian Constitution, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Article 21 A was added to the constitution by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002. This amendment is a major milestone in the country’s aim to achieve ‘Education for All’. The government described this step as ‘the dawn of the second revolution in the chapter of citizens’ rights.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 21 A declares that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such a manner as the State may determine. Thus, this provision makes only elementary education a Fundamental Right and not higher or professional education.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Even before the 86th amendment, the Constitution contained a provision for free and compulsory education for children under Article 45 in Part IV. However, being a Directive Principle, it was not enforceable by the courts.