(a) whether it is true that the quality of education upto secondary level has
decreased and if so, the reasons therefor;
(b) the number of students and teachers in the Government and private schools
in the country upto secondary level, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether it is true that the private schools are taking tuition and other fees of
their own at exorbitant rates; and
(d) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government so as to regulate all this
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)
(a) &(b): : The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
conducts periodic national surveys of learning achievement of children in classes III, V
and VIII and X. Four rounds of National Achievement Survey (NAS) have been
conducted so far for class V and three rounds for classes III & VIII. These surveys reveal
improvement in learning achievement levels of pupils, in identified subjects from first
round to fourth round. Further, a National Achievement Survey based on learning
outcomes for classes III, V and VIII has been conducted on 13th November, 2017 with a
sample frame upto district level to enable states/UTs to identify gaps in learning
outcomes at district level and design strategies to address those gaps. As only first
round of NAS has been conducted at Class X level, it is not possible to comment on the
comparative learning achievement of students of Class X.
The Central Government through the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva
Shiskha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) supports
States/UTs to improve quality of education at elementary and secondary level
respectively. Under these schemes, the States/UTs are supported on several
interventions to improve quality of education including regular in-service teachers’
training, induction training for newly recruited teachers, recruitment of additional
teachers for improving pupil teacher ratio, academic support for teachers through block
and cluster resource centres, Maths and Science kits, Lab equipment, special teaching
for learning enhancement, ICT facilities in schools, introduction of vocational education
component at the secondary level etc.
In addition to above, the Central Government, supports States and UTs on early
grade reading, writing & comprehension, and early Mathematics programmes through
a sub-programme of SSA namely ‘Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat’ (PBBB) in classes I
and II. Further, the Government has launched Rashtriya Aavishkar Abhiyan (RAA)
programme on 09.07.2015, inter alia, as a subcomponent 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.
Further, Section 23(2) of the RTE Act has been amended to ensure that all
untrained in-service teachers working in Government, Government aided, and Private
un-aided schools should acquire minimum qualification as laid down by an academic
authority, authorized by the Central Government, by 31st March, 2019.
The State-wise details of number of students and teachers in the Government and
private schools are at Annexure-I
(c) & (d) : Education being in concurrent list, the private schools are in the domain of
concerned State Governments/UTs. Hence, it is for the respective State Governments
and UTs to take action on any complaints regarding the same.