States must ensure free education to children: Rights body

Governments should provide free and compulsory education to children under the age group of 6 to 14 years, NCPCR member Justice B Subhashan Reddy said.

He was addressing a press conference after conducting a public hearing on the issue of children's right to education here in Andhra Pradesh.

He said the commission members conducted public hearing on 16 cases. Most of the complaints pertained to lack of adequate schools as per the RTE Act, shortage of teachers and lack of basic infrastructure like drinking water and toilets in schools.

"We have issued instructions to authorities concerned to solve these problems by July 31 and send us a report," Justice Reddy said.

The commission, set up in March 2007, heard the complaints from four districts of Srikakulam, Viziangaram, Visakhaptnam and East Godavari.

Another member of the panel, Deepa Dixit, yesterday visited some villages in the tribal-dominated areas of Visakhaptnam district to examine the implementation of the landmark Act.