MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)
(a): As per an independent survey commissioned by Ministry of Human Resource
Development (MHRD) in 2014, the number of out of school children (OoSC) in the age group
of 6 to 13 years was estimated to be 60.64 lakh. State-wise details of children from Scheduled
Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Minority communities among the children who are out
of school are at Annexure-I.
Under SSA, districts with high concentration of population of SCs, STs and Muslims have
been identified as Special Focus Districts (SFDs). The criteria for identifying the SFDs in case
of SCs and STs is population of 25% and above, while for Muslims, it is 20% and above. SFDs
also include 121 districts identified by Ministry of Minority Affairs to monitor implementation
of SSA as part of Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme. In 2016-17, the allocation to SFDs
under SSA accounts for 48% of the total outlay under SSA.
Since the inception of SSA upto 31.03.2016, 95221 primary schools, 54723 upper primary
schools and 881856 additional classrooms have been constructed in SFDs. Besides, 330
KGBVs, which are upper primary residential schools for girls, have been sanctioned in the SC
concentrated SFDs, out of which 329 are operational. Similarly, 508 KGBVs have been
sanctioned in ST concentrated SFDs and 507 are operational. In Muslim concentrated SFDs,
544 KGBVs have been sanctioned and all are operational. In ST concentrated SFDs, 106
residential schools and 190 hostels have also been sanctioned.
(b): The Central Government reviews and monitors implementation/impact of the Right of
Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 periodically with the States and
Union Territories at different fora. An independent concurrent financial review is also
undertaken to cover all States within two years. Educational data on outcomes are collected
through Unified District Information System of Education (UDISE) every year. The status of
these evaluations and monitoring is placed in the public domain on the Ministry’s website. The
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is the designated scheme to meet the objective of RTE Act,
2009. The combined RTE-SSA programme is reviewed twice every year by a Joint Review
Mission comprising independent experts and members of external funding agencies, covering
all States by rotation.
(c): The estimates on OoSC reported by the three independent surveys commissioned by
MHRD in 2005, 2009 and 2014 indicate that there has been a substantial reduction in the
number of OoSC in the country. The number of OoSC in 6-13 age group was 134.56 lakh in
2005 which reduced to 81.50 lakh in 2009. Further, the number of out of school children
reduced to 60.64 lakh in 2014. The total reduction in the number out of school children is
73.96 lakh. The reduction is across the States except six States and UTs. These are Andaman &
Nicobar Islands, Delhi, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala and Odisha. The increase in the number
of out of school children is mainly because of a renewed focus on RTE implementation and
identification of out of school children. States like Karnataka, Jharkhand and Odisha have
initiated child tracking system and a comprehensive identification process of all out of school
children in their states. State wise detail of reduction in the number of out of school children
and increase in six states is given at Annexure-II.
(d): The number of street children is not maintained by MHRD. The Right of Children to Free
and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which became operative with effect from 1st April,
2010, mandates that all children in the age group of 6-14 years shall be in schools for
completing elementary education. Section 4 of the RTE Act provides for special training for
age appropriate admission of out of school children. Those children who have missed out
certain academic years either for being never enrolled to school or having dropped out of
school, have a right to Special Training in residential and non residential mode, subsequently
to be mainstreamed in formal schools in age appropriate class. These out of school children
include those who are never enrolled, those who drop out, children of migrants, street and
working children, children without adult protection etc. Strategies such as providing residential
schools and hostels, transport and escort facility, seasonal hostels, special training centres at
worksite, migration cards, back to school camps etc. are being implemented and have proved to
be successful for the care of these children.
(e): No, Madam. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has reported that it does
not identify street children for extending school education.
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