In the latest reports, it has been revealed that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given a green signal to the Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0 until the financial year of 2025-26. The schemed has been revised to align itself with the Sustainable Development Goal focusing on Education and the new National Education Policy that was launched in 2020. To understand the details of the scheme, let’s dive into further exploration.
About Samagra Shiksha Scheme
An integrated approach intended for school education that spans from pre-school to class XII is known as the Samagra Shiksha Scheme. The primary objective of this scheme is to deliver inclusive, affordable and equitable school education. The Samagra Shiksha Scheme encompasses three different schemes – Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).
Overall, the scheme attends to 1.16 million schools, more than 156 million students and 5.7 million teachers of government and aided schools, ranging from pre-primary to senior secondary level. It has been executed as a centrally sponsored scheme and involves a funding split of 60:40 between the Centre and most States. The Ministry of Education initiated this scheme in the year 2018.
About Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0
The upgrade to the scheme, Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0, introduces several significant points.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
To enhance the direct outreach of the scheme, all child-centric interventions will be provided directly to the students through DBT mode on an IT-based platform over time. This DBT includes RTE (Right to Education) entitlements like textbooks, uniforms and transport allowance.
NEP Recommendations
The scheme 2.0 encourages Indian languages by introducing a new component for the appointment of language teachers. It includes salaries, training costs, as well as bilingual books and teaching-learning material.
Pre-primary Education
Under this upgraded scheme, funding to support pre-primary sections at government schools is included. This involves teaching and learning materials, indigenous toys and games, and play-based activities.
NIPUN Bharat Initiative
In alignment with the NIPUN Bharat Initiative, an annual provision of Rs. 500 per child for learning materials, Rs. 150 per teacher for manuals and resources, and Rs. 10-20 lakh per district will be provided for assessment for foundational literacy and numeracy.
Digital Initiatives
The scheme also provides for ICT labs and smart classrooms which involve digital boards, virtual classrooms and DTH channels.
Provision for Out-of-school Children
There’s also a provision to support out-of-school children aged 16 to 19 with a fund of Rs. 2000 per grade to complete their education through open schooling.
Other Features
Further elements of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0 include financial support for State Commission for Protection of Child Rights @ Rs 50 per elementary school in the state, and Holistic Progress Card (HPC) to evaluate student progress. The scheme also provides support for activities of PARAKH, a national assessment centre, and offers an additional Sports grant of up to Rs. 25000 to schools if at least two students from that school win a medal in Khelo India school games at the National level. Other provisions include Bagless days, curriculum and pedagogical reforms, internships with local artisans, and support for social audits covering 20% of schools each year.
