Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan improving access to education

NI Wire

New Delhi

Tue, 11 Mar 2008: 

The Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shri M.A.A. Fatmi has confirmed the Centre’s effort of bringing in a new scheme for the education of children as Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan to cover children at secondary level in between 8th to 12th standard with an aim to provide universal access education for all by 2015.

The new scheme is a part of the 11th five-year plan and will be funded completely by the Central government. Considering the rate of dropouts at elementary level during 2004-05 that was 50.8 percent, this scheme seems to work accordingly with government’s aim. The scheme will also bring improvement in the quality of secondary education.

While assessing the reasons of dropouts after elementary schooling, it was found that unavailability of schools at the nearest places, insufficient school infrastructure, socio-cultural barriers for girls, less number of teachers and a lack of overall community participation are the various factors that are stopping children from getting effective education.

The government after allocating Rs 20,120 crores funds is committed to make available good quality secondary education covering the in the interior most part across the country.

Objectives of the Scheme

The purposed fund allocated by the Planning Commission will be used to establish new schools within five kilometres of every village and built overall infrastructure.

- Built up new infrastructure and improve resources in the existing secondary schools in terms of appointing additional teachers and teachers in service training.
- To make secondary education available and affordable by filling the missing gaps in the existing secondary school system with curricular and examination reforms.
- Extra support for girls and children of disadvantage sections of the society.
- Grants for schools to build up advanced facilities like computer, laboratories and to promote research and innovation.

Earlier through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme the government has so far able to increase the number of enrolment of children at elementary level. Some independent monitoring institutions are timely reviewing these two schemes and as per the official report their performances are satisfactory.

As the 86th amendment in the constitution asserts free and compulsory education as a fundamental right of children aged between 6-14 years in a common mission of Universalisation of elementary education, the new Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan will further thrust nation’s educational development by giving special focus on such inclusive education related activities.