(a) whether the Government has taken steps to improve the Standard of Education and school infrastructure in rural India;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to improve education along with the funds disbursed for Government/schools for infrastructure such as library, laboratory, sports facilities and teaching aids during the last three years and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
(DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) & (b): The Government of India launched Samagra Shiksha-an Integrated Scheme for school education, w.e.f 2018-19, as an overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class XII, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education, across the country including the rural areas. The scheme provides support to States and UTs for strengthening of infrastructure in schools, universal access, bringing gender equality, promoting inclusive education, quality of education, financial support for teachers’ salary, digital initiatives, entitlements under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 including uniforms and textbooks, pre-school education, vocational education, sports and physical education and strengthening of teacher education institutions.
(c): Under Samagra Shiksha, the details of expenditure under Non-recurring components for strengthening infrastructure in schools all across the country during last three years are provided as follows:
Details of Expenditure (in crore)
2018-2019
2019-2020
2020-2021
2896.45 4165.16
4882.83
Further, in order to improve the education standards in the country, the Government has taken several steps:-
1. Central RTE Rules have been amended on 20th February, 2017 to include reference on class-wise, subject-wise Learning Outcomes at Elementary level.
2. National Achievement Survey (NAS) is conducted to enable States/UTs to identify gaps in learning outcomes, and take remedial steps.
3. A 70 indicator based matrix Performance Grading Index (PGI) has been developed to grade the States/UTs.
4. NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement), an Integrated Teacher Training Programme has been introduced.
5. Learning Outcomes for Secondary level have been notified.
6. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) was entrusted to conduct teachers training through ODL (Open Distance Learning) mode, which has been completed by about 9.58 lakh teachers.
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