Context:

Cabinet approves Samagra Shiksha scheme extension till March 2026

Background

• The Union Budget, 2018-19, has proposed to treat school education holistically without segmentation from pre-nursery to Class 12.
• Samagra Shiksha - an overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class 12 has been, therefore, prepared with the broader goal of improving school e ectiveness measured in terms of equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.
• It subsumes the three erstwhile Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).
• This sector-wide development programme/scheme would also help harmonise the implementation mechanisms and transaction costs at all levels, particularly in using state, district and sub-district
• level systems and resources, besides envisaging one comprehensive strategic plan for development of school education at the district level.
• The shift in the focus is from project objectives to improving systems level performance and schooling outcomes which will be the emphasis of the combined Scheme along-with incentivizing States towards improving quality of education

Major Features

Holistic approach to education

• Treat school education holistically as a continuum from Pre-school to Class 12 Inclusion of senior secondary levels and pre-school levels in support for School education for the first time
• Administrative reform
• Single and unified administrative structure leading to harmonized implementation
• Flexibility to States to prioritise their interventions under the Scheme.An integrated administration looking at ‘school’ as a continuum

Focus on Quality of Education

• Enhanced focus on improving quality of education by focus on the two T’s – Teachers and Technology.
• Enhanced Capacity Building of Teachers and School HeadsFocus on strengthening Teacher Education Institutions to improve the quality of prospective teachers in the system.

Focus Digital Education  

• Support ‘Operation Digital Board’ in all secondary schools over a period of 5 years, which will revolutionize education- easy to understand, technology based learning classrooms will become flipped classrooms.
• Enhanced use of digital technology in education through smart classrooms, digital boards and DTH channels.
• Digital initiatives like UDISE+, Shagun, to be strengthenedStrengthening of ICT infrastructure in schools from upper primary to higher secondary level.

Strengthening of Schools

• Enhanced Transport facility to children across all classes from I to VIII for universal access to school.
• Composite school grant increased from Rs. 14,500-50,000 to Rs. 25,000- 1 Lakh and to be allocated on the basis of school enrolment.Specific provision for Swachhta activities – support ‘Swachh Vidyalaya Improve the Quality of Infrastructure in Government Schools

Focus on Girl Education

• Upgradation of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) from Class 6-8 to Class 6-12.
• Self-defence training for girls from upper primary to senior secondary stageEnhanced Commitment to ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’

Focus on Inclusion

• Allocation for uniforms under RTE Act enhanced from Rs. 400 to Rs. 600 per child per annum.Allocation for textbooks under the RTE Act, enhanced from Rs. 150/250 to Rs. 250/400 per child per annum.
• Energized textbooks to be introduced.Allocation for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) increased from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 3500 per child per annum. Stipend of Rs. 200 per month for Girls with Special Needs from Classes 1 to 12.

Focus on Skill Development

• Exposure to Vocational Skills at Upper Primary Level would be extended.Vocational education for Class 9-12 as integrated with the curriculum and to be made more practical and industry oriented.
• Reinforce emphasis on ‘Kaushal Vikas’

Focus on Sports and Physical Education

• Sports Education to be an integral part of curriculumEvery school will receive sports equipment at the cost of Rs. 5000 for Primary Schools, Rs. 10,000 for upper primary schools and up to Rs. 25,000 for secondary and senior secondary schools to inculcate and emphasize relevance of sports.

Focus on Regional Balance

• Promote Balanced Educational DevelopmentPreference to Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs), LWE a ected districts, Special Focus Districts (SFDs), Border areas and the 117 aspirational districts identified by Niti Aayog.