NEW DELHI: A law making primary education compulsory in India came into effect today, opening the door for millions of impoverished children who have never made it to school because their parents could not afford the fees or because they were forced to work instead.

The new law entitles all children between the ages of 6 and 14 to a free education, regardless of their social status, gender or income level. Some 8 million children - mostly girls - are currently out of school, according to the UN children’s agency. The law is expected to also help educate Dalit children, who as members of India’s lowest caste are treated as outcasts and are often barred from class. “Today, our government comes before you to redeem the pledge of giving all our children the right to elementary education,” India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in a televised address. “This demonstrates our national commitment to the education of our children and to the future of India.”

Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, passed by Parliament in August 2009, all costs that prevent a child from attending school will be paid by the government, which will also be responsible for enrolling children and ensuring attendance. Private schools must also reserve a quarter of their seats for children from poor backgrounds - something elite private schools unsuccessfully challenged.

Among those welcoming the law were human rights groups and UNICEF, the UN children’s agency. “Tens of millions of children will benefit from this initiative ensuring quality education with equity,” said Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Representative in India.