Education Initiatives by the Government
Education in the Concurrent List – Education is in the Concurrent List of the Constitution, with the majority of schools and higher education institutions under the domain of the respective States/UTs. Both the States/UTs and the Centre work together to uplift the educational status of students across the country, including those from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.
How Does NEP 2020 Aim to Bridge Gaps?
Various schemes, projects, and programmes run by the Ministry have been aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. NEP 2020 aims to ensure that no student loses the opportunity to learn and excel due to their birth circumstances or background.
It addresses the concerns of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs), including geographical identities such as students from villages, small towns, and aspirational districts. This policy focuses on bridging social category gaps in access, participation, and learning outcomes.
Samagra Shiksha Scheme
What Is Samagra Shiksha?
The Department of School Education and Literacy has implemented an Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education – Samagra Shiksha since 2018-19.
This scheme aims to ensure that all children, from pre-school to class 12, have access to quality education in an equitable and inclusive classroom environment, catering to their diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and different academic abilities.
What Interventions Does Samagra Shiksha Support?
Samagra Shiksha supports various interventions in all States and UTs, such as:
- Composite school grants for providing a conducive learning environment
- Grants for libraries, sports, and physical activities
- Free uniforms and textbooks for eligible students
- Support for Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan
- ICT and digital initiatives
- School leadership development programmes
- Remedial teaching for academically weaker students
Under Samagra Shiksha, financial assistance is provided for expanding quality education, including setting up and running Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas, and establishing hostels under PM-JANMAN.
Additionally, assistance is given for the identification and support of children with special needs, including aids and appliances, Braille kits and books, appropriate teaching-learning material, and stipends for girl students with disabilities.
How Is Samagra Shiksha Aligned with NEP 2020?
The integrated scheme of Samagra Shiksha is aligned with NEP 2020 to improve the quality of education through measures such as:
- Introduction of new pedagogical and curricular structures
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
- Transforming Assessment for Student Development
- Experiential and Competency-based Learning
Department of Higher Education Initiatives
What Measures Have Been Taken for Higher Education?
The Department of Higher Education has undertaken various measures to expand quality education, such as:
- Providing flexibility and creative combinations of subjects
- Establishing equivalence and mobility through the National Credit Framework (NCrF)
- National Higher Education Qualification Framework and Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)
- Multiple entry/exit options
- Offering courses and materials in Indian languages
- Using technology to enhance access to education and governance
- Permitting learners to earn up to 40% credits from the SWAYAM platform
- Industry-academia collaboration for internships and curriculum development
- Offering industry-aligned courses and embedding the Indian Knowledge System in education
What Is PM-USHA?
The Department of Higher Education launched the third phase of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) as Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in June 2023, with an outlay of Rs. 12926.10 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
This Centrally Sponsored Scheme aims to fund specific State government universities and colleges, including those in rural areas, to improve their quality by ensuring conformity to prescribed norms and standards.
How Are Focus Districts Prioritized Under PM-USHA?
Under PM-USHA, priority is given to Focus Districts identified by the concerned States/UTs based on criteria such as low Gross Enrolment Ratio, gender parity, population proportion and enrolment proportion for females, transgenders, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, and districts prone to left-wing extremism or located in border/aspirational areas.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
FAQs:
What is NEP 2020?
NEP 2020 is the National Education Policy aimed at transforming India’s education system to ensure quality and equitable education for all.
What does Samagra Shiksha focus on?
Samagra Shiksha focuses on providing quality education from pre-school to class 12, ensuring inclusivity and equity in the classroom.
What is PM-USHA?
PM-USHA is the third phase of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, aimed at improving the quality of higher education in underserved areas.
How does NEP 2020 help disadvantaged students?
NEP 2020 addresses the needs of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups by bridging gaps in access, participation, and learning outcomes.
What are the benefits of the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)?
The Academic Bank of Credit allows students flexibility in their education, enabling them to accumulate and transfer credits across institutions.
