Question : First Aid Facilities in Schools

(a) whether there is lack of first aid facilities in Government schools particularly in rural areas of the country and if so, the details the reof along with the reasons therefor;

(b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to provide first aid facilities to the students of Government schools;

(c) whether the Government has any plan to provide the same salary to the private school teachers as has been provided to Government school teachers and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to take step to provide quality education in the educational institutions of the country and also to keep a check on the increasing number of students migrating to foreign countries like United States of America and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction thereon?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas which are under the administrative control of Government of India provide for a staff nurse on the school premises to handle medical emergencies including administration of first aid. These schools also provide for services of a doctor on part time basis. The Guidelines issued to States / UTs emphasize the safety and security aspect of children. In addition, the MDM Guidelines also envisage that children studying in Government and Government aided schools are to be covered under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) in convergence with the National Health Mission.

(c): The decision regarding teachers salary in schools under the jurisdiction of the State Governments / UT Administrations is in the domain of the State Government / UT Administration.

(d): Regarding improving the quality of education at elementary level, States/UTs are supported through the centrally sponsored scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), inter alia, with provisioning of teachers, their professional development, and provisioning for textbooks and training enhancement initiatives. Currently, two focused programmes have been launched by Government of India for improving quality of learning viz. Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat – a programme focused on improving reading with comprehension and mathematics in foundational classes and Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan - a programme focusing on improving learning of Maths and Science in a joyful manner at upper primary level.

As per the latest data available, in 2012, 1.89 lakh students were enrolled in Higher Education Institutions in over 50 countries abroad. There is no proposal to check on the increasing number of students to migrate to foreign countries. Further, the Ministry is constantly engaged with enhancing quality in Indian Higher Education with a concern for addressing equity to ensure education of best class to the students of Higher Education in India.

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