Tarakant Jha addresses a seminar in Patna on Monday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Aug. 23: Taking a cue from Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, Bhoomika Vihar NGO today organised a state-level meet at the Planetarium Hall, which was inaugurated by Bihar Legislative Council chairman Tarakant Jha.

“The state should play a major role in implementing the Act in a more effective manner because education empowers an individual to earn livelihood,” said Jha.

Talking about the role of teachers, Jha said: “Quality of education depends on the ability of teachers so I request the teachers across the state to become a partner to promote quality education in Bihar.” He further added that they must teach with dignity and give full expression to their talent and creativity.The chairman also said: “Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar would not beg money from the Centre to implement the RTE Act. Therefore, I would request the people of Bihar to contribute money for the social cause,” adding that the state should allocate maximum budget to the education sector. He said that even if the Nitish government is not voted back to power, development would not stop in Bihar.

“For the development of every society and state, education for children is the significant medium. More and more children should be educated for better future of the country and the state government must implement the Act to its optimum as soon as possible,” said Arun Kumar Singh, director of Bhoomika Vihar.

Sumitra Devi, who attended the meet, said: “I have two daughters and both of them goes to school. Thanks to the Nitish Kumar government, who started the bicycle scheme for the girls in Bihar. The deterrent to girls education is rooted in their homes and society and educating girls is commonly perceived as unnecessary mainly on account of the role they have been assigned in running the house and also because they will eventually leave their parental home after marriage. But this notion has to change and only then we can give them a bright future.”Bhim Singh, MLC JD(U) said this Act would increase awareness on a range of issues from healthcare to social behaviour, which will also result in to become a better citizen. He said that the role of political parties, leaders, and different stakeholders should play an important role for the implementation of the Act.

According to state human resource department Bihar requires 3.30 lakh more teachers, 1.81 lakh additional classrooms and Rs27,000 crore to implement the Act.

Over 200 people attended the one-day meet including teachers, parents, students and other social organisations. The meet was sponsored by Unicef. The Act promises free and compulsory education to all children in the 6-14 age group.