(a) whether the Government is aware that a number of children still remain out of school despite implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor alongwith the number of out
of school children in the country, State-wise/UT-wise; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to get these children enrolled in the schools and ensure 100% literacy in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) & (b) As per National All India Sample Survey conducted
by the Social and Rural Research Institute – Specialist unit
of IMRB International in 2009 for children in the age group
6-13 years, there were 81.5 lakh out of school children in
the country. Children remain out of school children due to
socio-economic problems, non-availability of schools in the
vicinity of habitations, non availability of teachers,
inadequate community mobilization for education, etc. A
statement giving details of out of school children
identified under above study is given in Annexure.
(c) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme which aims at
universalizing elementary education in the country, has been
progressing consistently towards its goals. Since inception,
and till 31.3.2011, SSA has provided significant financial
support for infrastructure development in elementary
education, including 1.95 lakh new primary schools, 1.71
lakh new upper primary schools, 13.72 lakh additional
classrooms, 4.55 lakh toilets and 2.14 lakh drinking water
facilities. With a view to improving quality, SSA has till
date sanctioned 18.89 lakh posts of teachers across the
country, and it provides financial support for textbooks,
teaching learning material and uniforms for children, as per
norms specified in SSA framework of implementation. SSA
norms have been revised to correspond with the provisions of
the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE)
Act, 2009.