The Samagra Shiksha Scheme is an integrated scheme to ensure that children get a school education right from preschool to class 12. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has enhanced the ambit of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme to better align it with the sustainable development goals on education and the newly launched national education policy in 2020. 

Source: Ministry of Education, GoI

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In this article on the Samagra Shiksha Scheme UPSC, we shall discuss its features, benefits, objectives, implementation status, and other aspects in detail. This will be very useful for aspirants in the UPSC Prelims Exam.

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What is Samagra Shiksha Scheme?

The Samagra Shiksha Scheme was launched in the year 2018 by the Ministry of Education. The scheme aims to ensure the equitable, inclusive, and cost-effective delivery of school education to many children in India. Under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme umbrella, three schemes are included: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, and the Teacher Education Program.

• The scheme covers over 1.16 million schools, catering to approximately 15.6 crore children and around 57 lakh teachers in government and government-aided schools.
• It encompasses classes from pre-primary to senior secondary levels.
• Implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme, the central government provides 60% of the funds, while the state governments contribute 40%.

Background of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme

The Samagra Shiksha Scheme is a flagship program of the Government of India aimed at enhancing the quality of education at the school level. It was launched in 2018 by merging three existing schemes:

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA),
• Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and
• Teacher Education (TE).

The scheme focuses on providing holistic education, improving learning outcomes, and ensuring equitable access to education for all children.

Vision of Samagra Shiksha Scheme

• The vision of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme is to provide inclusive and equitable quality education to all children from pre-primary to secondary levels.
• It aims to bridge the gaps in educational opportunities, reduce disparities, and promote excellence in education.

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Objectives of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme

The Samagra Shiksha Scheme in India operates with the following objectives:

• The Government of India initiated this scheme under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, now known as the Ministry of Education.
• The scheme's administration falls under the Department of School Education and Literacy.
• The scheme's primary objective is to enhance the quality of school education.
• The scheme takes a comprehensive approach to education by considering the entire school journey, from pre-school to senior secondary levels.
• It aims to improve school effectiveness, ensuring equal opportunities for education and equitable learning outcomes.
• In June 2021, the Ministry of Education launched the NIPUN Bharat Programme, which is part of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSA), focusing on the learning needs of children aged three to nine.

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Features of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme

Features under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0 include the following:

Holistic Approach to Education

• Extension of interventions to the senior secondary stage, providing a single scheme for school education from Classes I to XII.
• Treating school education as a continuum from pre-school to Class 12, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
• Supporting states in initiating pre-primary education and including senior secondary and pre-school levels in supporting school education.

Administrative Reform

• Establishment of a unified administrative structure for harmonized implementation.
• Giving flexibility to states in prioritizing their interventions under the scheme.
• Adopting an integrated administration approach, viewing schools as a continuum.
• Enhanced Funding for Education
• Increased budget allocation for education.
• Allocation of grants under the scheme based on learning outcomes and steps taken for quality improvement.

Focus on Quality of Education

• Emphasis on improving learning outcomes.
• Enhanced capacity building of teachers.
• Strengthening teacher education institutions like SCERTs and DIETs to improve the quality of prospective teachers.
• SCERT is the nodal institution for in-service and pre-service teacher training.
• Focus on quality education through teachers' capacity building and strengthening educational institutions.
• Annual grants for school libraries and emphasis on improving the quality of education through teachers and technology.

Focus on Digital Education

• Provision of ICT labs and smart classrooms.
• Strengthening of digital initiatives like Shala Kosh, Shagun, and Shaala Saarthi.
• Enhancement of ICT infrastructure in schools.
• Extensive use of the digital portal "DIKSHA" for upgrading teachers' skills.
• Utilization of technology to improve access and provide quality education.

Strengthening of Schools

• Emphasis on consolidating schools for improved quality.
• Increased transport facility for universal access to school.
• Enhanced allocation for infrastructure strengthening.
• Increased composite school grants based on school enrollment.
• Provision for Swachhta activities in schools.
• Focus on Girl Education
• Empowerment of girls.
• Upgradation of KGBVs to Class 6-12.
• Self-defence training and stipends for girls from the upper primary to the higher secondary stage.
• Commitment to "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao."

Focus on Inclusion

• Increased allocation for uniforms and textbooks under the RTE Act.
• Introduction of energized textbooks.
• Increased allocation for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) and stipends for girls with special needs.
• Commitment to "Sabko Shiksha Achhi Shiksha."

Focus on Skill Development

• Extension of exposure to vocational skills at the upper primary level.
• Strengthening of vocational education as part of the secondary level curriculum.
• Integrating vocational education from class 6 with a practical and industry-oriented approach.
• Reinforcing the emphasis on "Kaushal Vikas."

Focus on Sports and Physical Education

• Provision of sports equipment to all schools.
• Integration of sports education into the curriculum.
• Inculcating the relevance of sports in the school curriculum.
• Support for "Khelo India."

Focus on Regional Balance

• Promoting balanced educational development.
• Priority to Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs), LWEs, Special Focus Districts (SFDs), Border areas, and aspirational districts.
• Upholding the principles of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" and "Sabko Shiksha Achhi Shiksha."

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Funding Pattern of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme UPSC

• The implementation of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme follows a Centrally Sponsored Scheme model.
• For Union Territories without Legislature, the central government fully funds the scheme.
• In all other States and Union Territories with the Legislature, the sharing ratio of funds is 60:40, with the central government contributing 60% and the respective state government contributing 40%.
• The North-Eastern States and the Himalayan States have a different fund-sharing pattern, with the ratio currently set at 90:10, with the central government providing 90% of the funds and the state government contributing 10%.

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About Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0

• Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0 is an extension of the original Samagra Shiksha Scheme, aimed at transforming the education sector in India.
• The scheme covers various aspects of school education from pre-school to higher secondary levels, with a focus on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
• Key initiatives under the scheme include the provision of infrastructure facilities such as classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and toilets to create conducive learning environments.
• Efforts are made to enhance the capacity and skills of teachers through training programs and professional development opportunities.
• The scheme prioritizes the use of technology in education. It promotes digital learning tools and resources to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
• Special emphasis is placed on improving access to education for marginalized and disadvantaged groups. This includes girls, children with disabilities, and those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0 aims to strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency in the education system.
• This includes the establishment of robust data management systems to track student progress, assess learning outcomes, and monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

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