Question : INFRASTRUCTURE IN SCHOOLS



(a) whether due to lack of infrastructure in various schools, 50 per cent of children stay out of schools;

(b) if so, whether to avert such a situation the Government had decided to strengthen the vocational and technical education programme;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether there is huge deficiency infrastructure in the schools; and

(e) if so, the concrete steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)

(a) to (c) As per the selected Educational Statistics,2004-05 compiled by the Ministry of Human Resources Development (with reference date 30.9.2004), Gross Enrollment Ratios for elementary( classes 1-8) secondary (classes 9-10), and higher secondary (classes 11-12) stages were 93.5%, 51.65% and 27.82% respectively. Government of India is implementing the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) with the objective of universalisation of elementary education in a time bound manner. As per State reports in 2007, the number of “Out of School” children in the age group 6-14 year has come down to around 75 lakh. There is a centrally sponsored scheme of “Vocationalisation of secondary education” to cater to the students at higher secondary stage.

(d) & (e) Deficiency in infrastructure is only one of several reasons for some children to remain out of school. Improvement of infrastructure of schools is a continuous process. Under the SSA and the District Primary Education Programme, 11.73 lakh additional classrooms have been sanctioned in the 10th Plan period.