In what may be called as "repackaging" of existing schemes, the ministry of HRD has merged three schemes in school education and launched a new scheme called Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (Holistic Education for Holistic Development). The three schemes are – Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). It will be the overarching programme for school education sector from pre-school to class 12.
"Education can't be looked at in pieces. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan started by Vajpayeeji has completed 25 years and has brought significant changes in school education. But we can't rest on laurels. We need to bring in changes based on the new requirements of education. It's a new vision," said HRD minister Prakash Javadekar
The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan intends to provide quality education and enhance learning outcomes of students. It will promote vocationalisation of education and help in strengthening SCERTs (State Counil of Education Research and Training) and DIETs (District Institute of Education and Training).
The scheme will follow a target based approach for allocation of grants. Learning outcomes and steps taken for quality improvement will be the basis for such grants.
There will also be an impetus on digital education under the scheme. Operation Digital Board will be implemented in all secondary schools over a period of five years. A digital portal for teachers – “Diksha" has been launched which will help teachers in upgrading their skills through the online medium.
Sports education will be an integral part of the curriculum. Every school will receive sports equipments worth Rs 5000 for primary schools, worth Rs 10,000 for upper primary schools and Rs 25,000 for secondary and senior secondary schools.
Javadekar said that earlier the budget on the three schemes – SSA, RMSA and Teacher Education – was Rs 28,000 crore in 2017-18. But the budget outlay on the new scheme will now be Rs 34,000 crore in 2018-19 and to Rs 41,000 crore in 2019-20, that is, an increase of 20 per cent which shows central government’s commitment towards education.