(a) whether the Government proposes to open new centrally sponsored education centres to provide
better education to the students in far flung rural areas and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) if not, the reasons therefor ?
(a) whether the Government proposes to open new centrally sponsored education centres to provide
better education to the students in far flung rural areas and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) if not, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)
(a) and (b): The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides
for free and compulsory education for children of the age 6-14 years for classes I to VIII. The RTE
Act became operational w.e.f. 01.04.2010. SSA was designated as a vehicle programme for
universalization of elementary education up-to 2017-18, which was implemented in consultation
and coordination of States/UTs throughout the country. Now, SSA along-with other two centrally
sponsored schemes of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education
(TE) have been subsumed under a new scheme-Samagra Shiksha, which has been launched in the
country from 2018-19. It is an overarching programme for the school education sector extending
from pre-school to class XII and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all
levels of school education. Now, the provisions of RTE Act 2009 are implemented through the
Samagra Shiksha.
The States/UTs are assisted by the central government to implement the Samagra
Shiksha as a programme for providing universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social
category gaps in education and enhancement of learning level of children at all levels of school
education. Further, Section 6 of the RTE Act mandates that the appropriate governments and local
authorities shall establish, within the area or limits of a neighbourhood, a school, where it is not
already established, within a period of three years from the commencement of the Act. In this
regard, Central rules provide for the establishment of primary schools and upper primary schools
within a distance of one kilometre and three kilometre of the neighbourhood, respectively. Samagra
Shiksha provides for infrastructure development in schools, distribution of free text books and
uniforms, financial support for additional teacher posts, teacher training, composite school grant
etc. for universalization of education at elementary level.
Preference for opening of new school is given to tribal areas, and areas with high
concentration of Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and minority population. The
districts with high concentration of population of SCs, STs and Muslims have been identified as
Special Focus Districts (SFDs) for ensuring equity and inclusion at all levels of school education.
Since the inception of SSA in 2001, sanction has been given for opening of 3.64 lakh new
elementary schools and for construction of 3,12,747 school buildings, 18,89,689 additional
classrooms, 2,40,564 drinking water facilities and 10,63,164 school toilets. States and UTs have
reported opening up of 3.59 lakh new elementary schools and construction of 2,95,382 school
buildings, 18,08,452 additional classrooms, 2,33,956 drinking water facilities and 10,11,518 toilets
as on 30.09.2018. Besides, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) for girls belonging
predominantly to the SC, ST, Other Backward Caste and minorities, have played an important role
in furthering the goal of girls’ education in educationally backward blocks of the country.
Accordingly, 3703 KGBVs have been sanctioned under SSA upto 2017-18. Under Samagra
shiksha provision has been made for upgradation of KGBVs upto senior secondary level.
Provisions have also been made for 1020 residential schools/hostels for children living in sparsely
populated areas, children living in areas where schools cannot be opened due to unavailability of
land and children in need of care and protection.
The RTE Act makes specific provision for Special Training for age-appropriate admission
for out-of-school children in urban and rural areas. Special Training centres are to function within
the school premises, as far as possible. Approval has been given for special training of 8.08 lakh
children with the financial outlay of Rs. 56353.95 lakh in 2018-19.
***