Question : ENROLMENT RATE

(a) the details of enrolment for primary education in the country during the last three years, State-wise;

(b) whether in some States, primary school enrolment has fallen in 2011-12 as compared to the figure of enrolment in last three years;

(c) if so, the details of States where primary school enrolment has fallen during the last three years;

(d) the reasons for this fall in enrolment;

(e) whether the Union Government has sought a report from the State Governments in this regard.

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the manner in which the objectives of RTE Act will be achieved in such a situation?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. D.PURANDESWARI)

(a) to (f): The details of enrolment for primary education in the country during the latest three years 2007-08, 2008- 09 and 2009-10 is given in the Annexure. The enrolment at primary level has marginally decreased in the States/UTs of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland,Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, A&N Island, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Puducherry during the year 2009-10 as compared to 2008-09. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is already more than 100% in the states of Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The states including Assam, Haryana, Kerala and Nagaland have been communicated the decline in enrolment and requested to supply reasons/revised data.

(g): Government has been making consistent efforts to meet the goals of Universal Elementary Education through implementation of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Programme. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009, which became operational with effect from 1st April, 2010, provides that every child in the 6 to 14 age- group shall have a right to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education. The SSA Framework of Implementation has been revised to correspond with the provisions of the RTE Act 2009 and the SSA programme is being implemented in accordance with the norms and standards of the RTE Act. Mid Day Meal Scheme is being implemented with a view to enhance enrolment and retention of children in school. Further, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan has been launched for universal access to seconday education.