Manmohan Singh to address nation on Right to Education

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will on Thursday address the nation on the historic legislation that has made education a fundamental right.

The Right to Education Act that provides for free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of six to forteen years will come into effect on April 1.

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre is seeing the legislation as one of its biggest achievement.

Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal had earlier said the ministry would work on a year-long programme to generate awareness about the Act.

"Institutions will be given (adequate) time to (align) with the provisions of the Act," said Sibal.

Sibal also indicated that the implementation of the Act would not be delayed on account of the ongoing litigation challenging it before the Supreme Court.

"The Supreme Court has served notice on the government," Sibal said, and added: "Everybody has the right to challenge the government. The court will decide. But the implementation of the Act will not be affected."

The HRD ministry will also generate awareness about the Act through a short publicity film on television titled Roll Call, which features Nandita Das. (ANI)