Report on Early Childhood Development and Legal Entitlements

Social Issues Status of Children

Published on: 01-Sep-15
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The Law Commission of India submitted the 259th report titled “Early Childhood Development and Legal Entitlements” to the Union Law Ministry. Major recommendations of the report are as follows:
The recommendations in the report are based on international conventions, treaties and declarations.
It suggested that the government amend the Constitution for the purpose.
Children should be provided free and compulsory education from the age of three, not six to 14 as provided under the Right to Education Act.
The commission has also recommended amendments to the Right to Education Act, Maternity Benefit Act and creation of a statutory authority for early childhood development to ensure “proper emphasis” on the promotion of early childhood development.
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles should reflect the special status and needs of children below six years.
A new Article, 24A, should be inserted to Part III of the Constitution to ensure that the child’s right to basic care and assistance becomes an enforceable right.
The panel said the amendment was all the more necessary as India had 158.7 million children in the 0-6 age group, comprising about 16 per cent of the total population. During 2008-13, 43 per cent of the country’s under-five children were underweight and 48 per cent had stunted growth, it pointed out.
The amendment should also focus on preventing malnutrition, disease, poverty and social exclusion and abuse of kids.
The existing legal and constitutional rights framework in the country did not place enough emphasis on the rights of young children.

By: Vishal

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