SAMAGRA SHIKSHA INCREASING ENROLMENT OF GIRLS IN SCHOOL

| Published on:

     Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education is implementing the scheme of Samagra Shiksha, effective from 2018-19 to support States and UTs in implementation of the RTE Act, 2009. Ensuring equity and inclusion at all levels of school education is one of the major objectives of Samagra Shiksha.

As per the data available on Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) / UDISE+, Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls for 2018-19 and 2019-20 shows an increase in the enrolment of girls at all levels of school education, details of which are as under:

:Year          :Primary    :Upper Primary     :Secondary   :Higher Secondary

:2018-19    :101.78      :88.54                      :76.93             :50.84

:2019-20    :103.69     :90.46                       :77.83            :52.40
(Source: UDISE/UDISE+)

Bridging gender and social category gaps at all levels of school education is one of the major objectives of the Samagra Shiksha. Under Samagra Shiksha, to ensure greater participation of girls in education, including in the state of Uttar Pradesh, various interventions have been targeted which include opening of schools in the neighbourhood to make access easier for girls, free uniform and text-books to girls up to Class VIII, additional teachers and residential quarters for teachers in remote/hilly areas, appointment of additional teachers including women teachers, Stipend to CWSN girls from class I to class XII, separate toilets for girls, teachers’ sensitization programmes to promote girls participation, gender-sensitive teaching-learning materials including text books etc. The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 16.

6.12 lakhs girls with special needs get stipend in 2021-22

The National Education Policy 2020 envisages an inclusive and structural change in the educational system. It focuses on ‘Equitable and Inclusive Education’ which reverberates the idea that no child should be left behind in terms of educational opportunity because of their background and socio-cultural identities. It has taken into account the concerns of the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) which includes female and transgender individuals, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, minorities and other categories. This policy aims at bridging the social category gaps in access, participation, and learning outcomes in school education.

Under Samagra Shiksha, there is a provision of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs). KGBVs are residential schools from class VI to XII for girls belonging to disadvantaged groups. The KGBVs are set up in Educationally Backward Blocks. Currently there are 5627 sanctioned KGBVs across the country in which 6,65,130 girl students belonging to various disadvantaged groups are enrolled.

Under Student Oriented Component assistance is provided to States/Union Territories at Rs. 3500/- per Child with Special Needs for both school going and children who cannot attend school (home based education) pertaining to the severity of the disability.

Girls with disabilities receive special focus and efforts under the scheme to help them gain access to schools, as also to provide motivation and guidance for developing their potential. An amount of Rs. 200 per month for 10 months ( Rs.2000/- PA), through Direct Benefit Transfer, is given to girls as stipend to encourage them to come to school.

In the year 2021-22, girls’ stipend is provided to 6.12 lakhs girls with special needs. The total outlay approved was Rs.122.57 Crores. The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 16 March, 2022.