Previous Year Question

All five provisions have a bearing on education.

1. Directive Principles of State Policy

   • Article 41 directs the State, within its economic capacity, to make effective provisions for the right to education.

   • Article 45 concerns early childhood care and education for children below six years.

   • Article 46 requires the State to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections.

   • Article 39(f) stresses the healthy and dignified development of children.

2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies

   • The Eleventh Schedule contains subjects related to Panchayats:

     • Entry 17—education, including primary and secondary schools.

     • Entry 18—technical training and vocational education.

     • Entry 19—adult and non-formal education.

     • Entry 20—libraries.

   • Entry 13 of the Twelfth Schedule connects Municipalities with the promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects.

3. Fifth Schedule

   • The Fifth Schedule, read with Article 244(1), deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.

   • Tribal Advisory Councils advise on matters concerning the welfare and advancement of Scheduled Tribes.

   • This special administrative framework affects tribal education, schools, hostels and educational welfare programmes in Scheduled Areas.

4. Sixth Schedule

   • Under Article 244(2), it provides autonomous administrative arrangements for tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

   • Paragraph 6 expressly empowers Autonomous District Councils to establish, construct and manage primary schools.

   • Through regulations approved by the Governor, they may prescribe the language and manner in which primary education is provided.

5. Seventh Schedule

   • Entry 25 of the Concurrent List covers education, including technical and medical education and universities.

   • It is subject to Union List Entries 63–66, which cover institutions of national importance and the coordination and determination of standards in higher education.

   • The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 transferred education from State List Entry 11 to Concurrent List Entry 25.

Additional fact: Article 21A guarantees free and compulsory education to children between six and fourteen years as a Fundamental Right.