(a) whether it is a fact that at secondary level, the Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) figures have dropped considerably, with only seven States and Union Territories registering more than 80 per cent;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to improve the enrolment ratio at secondary level;
(c) whether it is a fact that school education has been witnessing short shrift; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a) As per the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2016-17, the Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) in Secondary ( Grade IX – X) has improved from 48% in 2014-15 to more than 53% in 2017-18. The UDISE has also shown that between 2014-15 and 2016-17, the Adjusted Net Enrolment Ratio has improved in 24 States and UTs. In 7 States and UTs, the Adjusted Net Enrolment Ratio is more than 80%.
(b) to (d) The Government has launched a number of initiatives to improve children’s education, including Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrasas (SPQEM), Infrastructure Development in Minority Institutions (IDMI), National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE), National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS). To improve quality of teaching, the central Government initiatives include development of a dedicated digital infrastructure for teachers, DIKSHA, and launching of an integrated teacher training programme titled NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement). As per UDISE 2016-17, the number of teachers have also improved from 85.6 lakhs in 2014-15 to more than 89 lakhs in 2016-17.
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