-The Indian Express Pratham's Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) tells us every year that teaching-learning at our primary schools is quite a disappointment. This time, however, it is shocking. ASER 2012 reveals the ‘path breaking’ Right to Education Act may have worked to further bring down learning levels by several notches. Aimed at ensuring free and compulsory education for all aged between 6 and 14, the RTE in its zeal to...

-Kafila.org The village of Majure, in Chitradurga district, Karnataka, is once again in the news. It made the national headlines in 1998 when dalits in the village lodged a police complaint against members of the dominant Vokkaliga and Lingayat castes for an attack on their hamlet. As a consequence, several people were put behind bars. This time round, however, no formal complaint was lodged. Not that things have improved (rather, one could...

-The Hindustan Times The Congress-led government in Kerala has decided to set up an exclusive fast-track court to deal with sexual atrocities against women and children. Announcing this here on Wednesday, chief minister Oommen Chandy said the court would be set up in Kochi immediately. “We have decided to sanction 18 new posts to set up a new additional and district court in Kochi. This court would deal only with cases...

-Outlook Flagging concerns about missing children, National Human Rights Commission today called for stricter implementation of laws concerning minors. Addressing a conference on missing children, NHRC Chairperson Justice K G Balakrishnan said the society should help law enforcement agencies in tackling the issue. "...Where are these missing children going? Either these children are being used by anti-social groups or organ rackets. Are they alive? Some children were found in extreme traumatic conditions. All...

-Outlook A PIL today urged the Bombay High Court to direct the Maharashtra Government to implement effectively the Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act and Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act. Though the Acts were enacted long back, they were not being implemented, the PIL, filed by Advocate Rajendra Ambhule said. No special homes for children have been set up in every district of Maharashtra as per section 9 of...