Question : OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

(a) whether any survey has been conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) about the children deprived of school education;

(b) if so, the total number of children not atte- nding school in the country, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government is aware that even today, a large number of girls and physically disabled chi- ldren do not have access to school education; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government for providing education to such children?

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

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. As per the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) survey conducted during July, 2011 to June, 2012, a total of 2,16,74,500 children, including 1,09,14,700 girls, in the age group of 5-14 years were not attending any educational institution. State-wise details are given at Annexure-I. However, the Government of India commissioned the independent survey in 2013-14 which has provided data of about 61 lakh children being out of school in the 6-13 years age group. State-wise details are at Annexure-II.

The number of children with disabilities in the age group of 6 to 14 years who are currently out of school in the country, is more than 6.00 lakh, as per the survey conducted by this independent agency in 2013.

(d): The Government of India is implementing the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a programme for uni- versalising elementary education for all children from 6-14 years of age. Its overall goals include universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps in education and enhan- cement of learning levels of children. The SSA provides Rs. 3000/- per child per annum for the interventions related to inclusive education of children with special needs (CWSN). The major interventions under SSA for the education of CWSN are identification, functional and formal assessment, appropriate educational placement, provision of free aids and appliances, transport and/or escort support, teacher training, appoint- ment of resource teachers, and barrier free access etc.