India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development is implementing a novel approach towards improving the country’s educational landscape, the Scheme of Vocationalisation of School Education. This scheme introduces vocational subjects to students from classes IX through XII, along with their general education, offering an enriched mix of academic and practical knowledge to prepare them for different occupations. Implemented under the broader umbrella of “Samagra Shiksha – An Integrated Scheme for School Education”, this strategy aims to provide equitable quality education.
Understanding Samagra Shiksha: An integrated approach to education
The Samagra Shiksha is an overarching educational scheme that extends from pre-school to class XII. It ensures inclusive and equitable high-quality education at all school levels. The scheme encompasses the three existing Schemes – Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE), treating school education as a continuum from Pre-school to Class 12.
At the heart of this integrated approach are two key elements, aptly termed as the two T’s – Teacher and Technology. By focusing on these aspects, the scheme strides to enhance the overall quality of school education.
Vision of Samagra Shiksha: Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals for Education, the vision of Samagra Shiksha is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education from pre-school to senior secondary stages. The scheme adheres particularly to SDG-4.1 and SDG- 4.5.
SDG-4.1 emphasizes ensuring that all boys and girls complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to effective learning outcomes. SDG 4.5, on the other hand, is focussed on eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education.
Supporting States in Implementing the Right to Education Act (RTE)
One of the major aims of the Samagra Shiksha is to aid states in implementing the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The Right to Education Act (RTE) is a fundamental right under Article 21-A of the Constitution of India.
| Scheme Name | Implementing Ministry | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme of Vocationalisation of School Education | Ministry of Human Resource Development | Vocational Skills; Class IX to XII |
| Samagra Shiksha | Ministry of Human Resource Development | Inclusive & Equitable Quality Education; Pre-school to Class XII |
Funding Pattern of the Scheme
The Scheme of Vocationalisation of School Education is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The funding pattern between Centre and States currently stands at a ratio of 90:10 for the North-Eastern States and the Himalayan States, while it’s 60:40 for all other States and Union Territories with Legislature. For Union Territories without Legislature, it is 100% centered as a sponsored scheme.
The scheme provides flexibility to the States and Union Territories to plan and prioritize their interventions within the scheme norms and the overall resource envelope available to them.
