Parliament has passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Amendment Bill, 2012. The Lok Sabha approved the legislation Wednesday which the Rajya Sabha had adopted earlier. Children with severe disability will be its main beneficiary. They will have the option to receive education at home.

Piloting the Bill, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal termed it as a historic piece of legislation. It will have a great impact on quality education to disabled children in the age group of 6 to 14 years studying in Class I to 8, he said. Mr. Sibal informed the House that a committee will be set up to frame the guidelines for implementing the scheme. He said, altogether 19 lakh teachers are needed to impart education at primary and upper primary levels across the country. There are 12 lakh teachers in place and the rest will have to be appointed. The Centre has permitted the states to appoint these teachers, Mr. Kapil Sibal said. He assured the states of full support from the Centre to implement the act.

The bill received unanimous support in the House.