Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the right to education at the 53rd Session of Human Rights Council (19 June - 14 July 2023) delivered by Mr. Pawan Badhe, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 27 June 2023

Mr. President,

1.  We welcome the SR’s presentation of the report, and its conclusions and recommendations. 

2.  The 25th anniversary of this mandate’s establishment is an opportune time to reflect on the many encouraging developments for the realization of the right to education globally as well as the challenges to its enjoyment that persist.

Mr. President, 

3.  We firmly believe that education is critical for achieving the full human potential, an equitable and just society, and sustainable development. Since 2002, the Constitution of India guarantees the fundamental right to free and compulsory education to all children from 6 to 14 years. 

4.  In line with our steadfast commitment to SDG 4, the Government of India has adopted the National Education Policy 2020 to usher in transformational reforms in the school and higher education systems. Formulated after an inclusive and participatory consultation process, the Policy aims for universalization of educationfrom pre-school to secondary level with 12 years of schooling and 3 years of pre-schooling. 

5.  The Policy seeks to achieve 100% youth and adult literacy and to bring back 20 million out-of-school children into the mainstream through open schooling system. It advocates a pedagogy without a rigid separation between academic, extracurricular and vocational streams; promotes multilingualism in schools and in higher education; provides for a Gender Inclusion Fund and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups; and supports equitable use of technology in teaching and learning.

I thank you, Mr. President.