MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a): Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat (PBBB) is a sub-programme of Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyaan (SSA) which is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented to support the
States/UTs for universalization of elementary education across the country. It was
launched on 26th August, 2014 to ensure quality at the foundational years of
schooling i.e., classes I & II. The objectives of the programme are to promote early
reading and writing with comprehension skills in children, and also basic numeracy
skills. The programme envisages dedicated teachers for Classes I & II. It centers on
the capacity building of teachers, organizing separate reading periods in the daily
school time-table, maintaining a print rich environment, for reading through children’s
literature in school libraries and reading corners in classes I & II. Special bridge
materials have also been prepared for States having a high tribal population.
(b): States/ UTs are implementing PBBB in their respective States/UTs using
multiple strategies and approaches. These include adoption of NCERT model of early
reading, provision of supplementary reading material, development of State specific
models for early Maths and early reading, collaboration with organisations like
UNICEF etc. Details of activities being conducted by various States/ UTs is at
Annexure- I.
(c): States/UT’s have been approved funds under SSA amounting to Rs. 456 crores
in 2014-15 and Rs. 525 crores in 2015-16 for various activities under PBBB. Statewise
details are at Annexure- II.
(d): Under SSA 15.59 lakh teacher posts have been filled up as on 31st August,
2015. Additionally, the State Governments and UT Administrations are supported on
several interventions to improve teaching standards, including regular in-service
teachers’ training, induction training for newly recruited teachers, recruitment of
additional teachers for improving pupil-teacher ratios, academic support for teachers
through block and cluster resource centres, continuous and comprehensive
evaluation system to equip the teacher to measure pupil performance and provide
remedial action wherever required, and teacher and school grants for development of
appropriate teaching-learning materials, etc. The Right of Children to Free and
Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 specifies statutory duties and responsibilities
of teachers and lays down the minimum qualifications for a person to be eligible for
appointment as a teacher in elementary schools.
The Central Government has launched Rashtriya Aavishkar Abhiyan (RAA), inter
alia, as a sub-component of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha
Abhiyan (RMSA), to motivate and engage children of the age group from 6-18 years in
Science, Mathematics and Technology through observation, experimentation, inference
drawing, model building, etc. both through inside and outside classroom activities.
The Central Government has launched the ‘Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya
National Mission on Teachers and Teaching’ in December, 2014 with a vision to
comprehensively address all issues related to teachers, teaching, teacher preparation,
professional development, curriculum design, research in pedagogy and developing
effective pedagogy.
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