What should society do to make sure that all children get access to education?
Society should take multiple steps to ensure all children get access to education.
First, the government should establish schools in all areas, including remote and underprivileged neighbourhoods, with proper infrastructure like buildings, furniture, and trained teachers.
Second, education should be made free or affordable through scholarships, free textbooks, and mid-day meal schemes that also incentivize attendance.
Third, awareness programs should be conducted to help parents understand the importance of education, especially for girls.
Fourth, flexible schooling options like evening classes or bridge courses should be available for working children.
Fifth, communities should come together to support education initiatives, as shown by Kamal Parmar's example where volunteers joined to teach.
Sixth, strict implementation of laws against child labour would prevent children from being forced into work instead of school.
Finally, society should address root causes of poverty that prevent families from sending children to school.
Explanation
The chapter on pages 10-11 presents Kamal Parmar's initiative as an example of how individuals and communities can help provide education to underprivileged children. The story shows that when formal systems fail, community efforts can fill the gap. The chapter also mentions on page 8 that during the Chennai floods, private groups and religious organizations distributed food to people in need, showing how community action addresses societal gaps. The question encourages students to think about systemic and community-based solutions to educational inequality.
Solution Steps
Government should establish schools in all areas including remote and underprivileged neighbourhoods with proper infrastructure and trained teachers
Education should be made free or affordable through scholarships, free textbooks, and mid-day meal schemes
Conduct awareness programs to help parents understand the importance of education, especially for girls
Provide flexible schooling options like evening classes or bridge courses for working children
Communities should come together to support education initiatives, following examples like Kamal Parmar's volunteer teaching model
Strictly implement laws against child labour to prevent children from being forced into work
Address the root causes of poverty that prevent families from sending children to school