(a) whether the Government has assessed the standard of education of
women and girls in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the measures taken by the Government for improving the education of
women and girls during the last three years;
(d) the total funds sanctioned/released/spent during the said period,
State-wise; and
(e) the results achieved in this regard so far?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) & (b): The National Council for Educational Research and Training
(NCERT) conducts a National Achievement Survey to assess the learning level
of children, including girls, for class III, V & VIII. The survey has shown
that the average pupil achievement levels have increased, even though overall
achievement is low.
(c) to (e): To encourage the participation of girls in elementary education,
the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) provides for the opening of schools in the
neighborhood to make access easier for girls, the appointment of additional
teachers including women teachers, free textbooks, free uniforms, separate
toilets for girls, early childhood care and education centers in/near schools
in convergence with ICDS programme etc., teachers’ sensitization programmes
to promote girls participation, gender-sensitive teaching learning materials
including textbooks are the scheme of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas as
residential upper primary schools. In addition, the Mid Day Meal Scheme
benefits 10.44 crore children, enrolled in primary and upper primary classes
in 12.12 lakh Government aided, local body, NCLP schools and Madarsas / Maqtabs
supported under the SSA. Many studies have shown that the MDMS has helped in
preventing classroom hunger, promoting school participation, and enhancing
gender equity.
Under the Rashtriya Madyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), interventions to promote
girls participation in secondary schools include the opening of new schools,
the strengthening of existing schools, the appointment of teachers, the
construction of residential quarters for teachers in remote/hilly areas,
hostel facilities for girls, teacher sensitization programmes and separate
toilet blocks for girls. In addition, a Girls’ Hostel Scheme, the National
Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE), exemption
from paying tuition fee in Kendriya Vidyalayas, and 33% reservation for girls
in Navodaya Vidyalayas, are also being implemented.
Under the Saakshar Bharat Programme, out of 2.13 crore adults certified literates
up to March, 2013 through assessment test conducted by National Institute of Open
Schooling (NIOS), 1.54 crore were female adults. The Census 2011 reveals a rise in
female literacy rates from 53.67% in 2001 to 65.46% in 2011.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also undertaken several schemes for the
benefit of girls and women. These include the construction of Women Hostels Scheme,
the Capacity Building of Women Managers in Higher Education Scheme, the Indira Gandhi
Post Graduate Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child and a fellowship for single
girl child for taking up research in science departments, which have been covered
under the Basic Scientific Research (BSR) programme. To enhance the over-all
enrolment in higher education and ensure quality, the Central Government has recently
sanctioned a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha
Abihyan (RUSA). Special emphasis is given in the scheme to the enrolment of girls in
higher education. Rs. 47.05 crores have been sanctioned to 17 states for preparatory
activities under RUSA.
The Funds released and expenditure incurred under the SSA and the RMSA programmes
including the interventions for promotion of girls’ education is at Annexure I & II
respectively.
The enrolment of girls has been steadily increasing and the dropout rates declining
at all stages of education.