New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) United Nations agencies Tuesday congratulated the Indian government on the notification of the Right to Education (RTE) Act which aims to provide free and compulsory education to all children aged six-14 years.

“As the world celebrates Global Action Week on Education from April 20 to 26, UNESCO, ILO and UNICEF in India welcome the global campaign which comes just as India enters an exciting phase with the historic notification of the RTE Act on April 1, 2010,” a statement issued here said.

The UN bodies further said that India could inspire other nations wanting to provide free and quality education to children as well with the act.

“During this week, as the world takes action on education, India’s RTE Act can serve as an inspiration and model for other countries looking to provide free quality education. The UN agencies congratulate the government of India in this major step forward and as part of on-going efforts to support RTE, will join hands with national coalitions and other partners to initiate a nation-wide campaign,” the statement added.

This year’s Global Action Week focuses on “Financing Quality Public Education: A Right for All”.

The UN campaign will urge political leaders, parliamentarians and policy makers to keep their promises on education by proactively addressing the barriers in the way of children’s schooling.

“Unaffordable fees, inadequate GDP spends on education, lack of professional teachers for quality education and children engaged in child labour are critical issues which need to be dealt with. This week of action will also serve as a springboard to raise challenges under the RTE Act,” the agencies said.

In 2006-07 India spent an estimated 3.57 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for education. The UN bodies say that “without increased investments, RTE will remain a distant dream for India’s estimated eight million children who are out of school.”

Under the UN campaign to mark the Global Action Week, children will also march to the doors of parliamentarians to appeal for a provision of six percent of GDP as committed for education.