Sarva Siksha Abhiyan

- The Scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) a national flagship programme, is being implemented in all districts of the country.
- The aim of SSA is to provide useful and relevant elementary education for all children in the 6-14 age group.
- The scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was launched in 2001.
- The goals of SSA are as follows :
(i) All 6-14 age children in school/EGS (Education Guarantee Scheme) centre/Bridge Course by 2005.
(ii) Bridge all gender and social category gaps at primary stage by 2007 and at elementary education level by 2010.
(iii) Universal retention by 2010.
(iv) Focus on elementary education of satisfactory quality with emphasis on education for life.
- The existing operational norms of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have been revised to implement the right to free and compulsory education.
- The assistance under the programme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was on a 85 : 15 sharing arrangement during the Ninth Plan, 75·25 sharing arrangement during the Tenth Plan, and 50 : 50 sharing thereafter between the Central Government and the State Government except for 8 NE states.
- The programme covers the entire country with special focus on educational needs of girls, SCs/STs and other children in difficult circumstances.
- The programme seeks to open new schools in habitations which do not have schooling facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grant.
- The SSA has a special focus on girls and children of weaker sections.
- A number of initiatives including free textbooks, target these children under the programme.
- The SSA also seeks to provide computer education even in rural areas to bridge the digital divide.
The framework has been revised anq reimbursement towards expenditure incurred for at least 25 per cent admission of children belonging to disadvantaged group and weaker section in private unaided schools would be supported from the academic year 2014-15.
The Government in association with corporate sector has taken up for construction of toilets in all schools with a separate girls toilets before 15th August, 2015.
'Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat' has been planned to improve language development by creating an enduring interest in reading and writing with comprehension.
The Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act
- The Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act was passed in both the houses of Parliament in July-August 2009 which finally approved by the President in August 2009.
- This Act has been operational w.e.f. April 1,2010.
- This Act makes provision of free and compulsory education to children to 6-14 years age group.
- The expenses made in implementing this Act will be shared by centre and state government in the ratio 65 : 35 but for north-east states this ratio has been kept as 90 : 10.
- This Act also makes provision to reserve 25 per cent seats in all schools including private schools for the children belonging to economically weak sections of the society.