(a) whether the Government agree that there is a gap between social groups in imparting education;
(b) if so, whether the Government intend to bridge the gap between the social groups and pay more attention to special opportunities for minorities, women, SCs and STs;
(c) whether the Government have formulated any action plan in this regard and decided on financial allocation; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (PROF. RITA VERMA)
(a) & (b): Providing equal opportunities of education to
all is a continuous process and constant efforts are
being made in this regard. The National Policy on
Education, 1986 (as modified in 1992) and its Programme
of Action lays special emphasis on the removal of
disparities and to equalise educational opportunity by
attending to the specific needs of those who have been
denied equality so far. The Policy envisages a well
conceived edge in favour of women; focuses on educational
development of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe
communities to bring them on par with others; provides
for suitable incentives for all educationally backward
sections of the society, particularly in rural areas and
adequate institutional infrastructure for hilly and
desert districts, remote and inaccessible areas and
islands.
(c) & (d): Several schemes were launched by way of
Central interventions primarily for meeting the needs of
the educationally backward classes; such as Mahila
Samakhya, Area Intensive and Madarasa Modernisation
Programme (as renamed); Strengthening of Boarding and
Hostel facilities for Girl Students of Secondary and
Higher Secondary Schools, Free Education for Girls,
Scheme of Kasturba Gandhi Swatantra Vidyalaya for
improving literacy among the women belonging to SCs, STs,
OBCs and Minorities. Adequate financial provisions are
made in the Budget to meet the purpose.