AGARTALA, Jan 4 (TIWN): With the initiative of TGTA, the School Teachers’ Federation of India (STFI), the teachers’ wing of the CPI (M), organised a program at Mukhtodhara for the improvement of education standards of the girls.

The program was organised under the banner of Sikhika and Balika diwas.

There is a need to amend the Right to Education Act and provide free education to students from the age of 3 to 18 whereas the existing system covers students between 6 and 16. Focus on pre-primary education is the need of the hour.

The program also paid tribute to Savitribai Jyotirao Phule who was an Indian social reformer and poet. Along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule, she played an important role in improving women's rights in India during British rule. The couple founded the first women's school at Bhide Wada in Pune in 1848. She also worked to abolish discrimination and unfair treatment of people based on caste and gender.

Raising the issue of women’s safety and security, the STFI said people of all walks of life should be sensitised about the need of gender equality at home outside and at workplaces, through special initiatives with commitment and courage. An atmosphere is to be created wherein everybody would be aware of the serious action to be taken against the perpetrators of misbehaviour against women and girls.

Since its inception STFI has been vigorously campaigning for establishing the right for free and compulsory education to all the children up to the age of 14 years. The hectic commercialisation of higher education is also posing formidable challenges to the weaker sections of the society. In this context, the STFI has demanded to the central government to take up the responsibility and provide more funds for education.