(a) the number of Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) Identified in the country;
(b) the number of EBBs which have a significant population of muslims;
(c) whether the Government has formulated a policy or a scheme to address the educational backwardness in these blocks;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) to (b) A total of 3,479 educationally backward blocks (EBBs) have been identified on the basis of dual criteria of
Female Literacy Rate and Gender Gap in Literacy.
(c) to (e) The Ministry has formulated many schemes toaddress the educational backwardness in these blocks.
Under the Model School Scheme, launched in November,2008, 3,500 model schools are to be set up as benchmark of
excellence in EBBs through State/UT Governments. Further, the “Scheme for Construction and Running of Girls’ Hostel for
Students of Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools†is being implemented from 2009-10. The scheme envisages construction of
one hostel with a capacity of 100 girls in each EBB in the country. The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) scheme was
launched in August, 2004 for setting up residential schools in EBBs at upper primary level for girls belonging predominantly
to the SC, ST, OBC and minorities. Further, National Programme for Girls Education at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) is
implemented in EBBs and addresses the needs of girls who are ‘in’ as well as ‘out’ of school. NPEGEL also reaches out to
girls who are enrolled in school, but do not attend school regularly. NPEGEL works through village level women’s and
community groups.