JUST as citizens have started to flex the new powers granted by the Maharashtra Right To Information (MRTI) Act, 2003, the state government has decided to include school children in this quiet revolution.
In the new state syllabus for the 2006-2007 academic year, lessons on MRTI will be included in secondary school Civics classes—in Stds VI, VII and VIII.
‘‘It is likely to be spread across three academic years for a comprehensive understanding, ’’ said S N Pawar, joint director of the academic syllabus.
The move makes Maharashtra the first state to include the right to information in the school curriculum.
MRTI is considered the most powerful act of its kind in the country.
The idea was first proposed to the education secretary by U P S Madan, now the state’s chief electoral officer, when he was secretary of the Mantralaya’s General Administration Department six months ago.
‘‘The proposal stated that RTI should be included in the school syllabus—but the details of what should be taught and for which class have been left to experts on the textbook committee,’’ said Madan.
A reminder was sent in October by Madan’s successor, Vandana Krishna, and was given a boost by a similar proposal from the Pune-based Yashwantrao
Chavan Academy of Development Administration—which trains government officers on RTI.
Captain A V Deshpande, the academy’s deputy director-general, said, ‘‘We have shown our willingness to participate in any further process after the textbook committee okays it.’’
The proposals are currently with state education secretary J M Pathak, who has forwarded them to the state’s textbook bureau for consideration.
RIGHT TO KNOW
* FOR WHOM: Std VI, VII and VIII
* FROM WHEN: Academic year 2006-2007
vvdeshmukh@expressindia.com