(a) whether the children of the country are not getting education equally;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto and the problems being faced by the
Government to provide education equally;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to end inequality in education; and
(d) the extent to which progress has been achieved by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)
(a) to (c): Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme is being implemented for universalization
of elementary education in the country in a time bound manner In SSA following initiatives have
been taken to reduce inequality.
i) Focus on girls` education: It promotes girl education to equalize educational
opportunities and eliminate gender disparities.
ii) Ensure access and equity: Concern for education of socially disadvantaged groups is inter
woven in SSA.
iii) Inclusion: SSA aims to ensure that every child with special needs, irrespective of the
kind, category and degree of disability, is provided education in an appropriate environment.
iv) Improving quality: Quality improvement is one of the most important component under SSA. It
provides supports for teachers` recruitment and training, curriculum/textbook renewal,
development and distribution of teacher learning material, annual school grants, pupil
assessment systems, computer aided learning etc.
(d): As a result of the initiatives taken under SSA programme, a large number of children
have been brought into the fold of elementary education and number of out of school
children has come down from 320 lakh in 2001-02 to 70 lakh in 2006-07 as per State Reports.