Question : OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

(a) whether the latest survey on Out of School (OoS) children under the Right of Education Act has shown a drastic decline in the age group of 6-14 compared to the survey of 2009;

(b) if so, the details of the findings of the survey State-wise/UT-wise and the details of States that have witnessed a decline in the OoS children;

(c) whether the survey indicates an increase in OoS children in respect of some States;

(d) if so, the details thereof and steps taken by the Government to take up this matter with such States and the response received thereon; and

(e) the details of the steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to motivate people in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) to (c): The number of Out of School Children (OoSC) has declined from 81.5 lakh in 2009 to 60.64 lakh in 2014 as per All India Survey of OoSC conducted by Social and Rural Research Institute (SRI) - Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) International in 2009 and 2014 respectively. 20 States have witnessed a decline in OoSC and 14 States have witnessed an increase in OoSC. State-wise details of OoSCs are at Annexure.

(d): The main findings of the draft survey report on OoSC submitted by SRI - IMRB International was shared with the State Education Secretaries in August, 2014.

(e): Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), all States & UTs are committed to bringing all children in school and reducing out of school children. The steps taken by them include inter alia, opening of schools in the neighbourhood, construction of additional class rooms, provision of drinking water & toilet facility, provision of additional teachers, textbooks, uniforms (for all girls and children belonging to SC, ST and BPL families in government schools). States /UTs also provide special training to OoSC to enable them to attend bridge courses for eventual mainstreaming into schools.