The Union Ministry of Education has reaffirmed that the release of central funds to States under the Samagra Shiksha scheme is contingent upon adherence to specific conditions.
- The Issue: Several States (e.g., Kerala, Tamil Nadu) have faced delays in fund disbursal.
- Centre’s Stance: Funds are withheld due to non-submission of utilization certificates, lack of physical/financial progress, and non-compliance with scheme norms, specifically the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the PM-SHRI scheme.
About Samagra Shiksha Scheme :
Samagra Shiksha is an overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-school to Class 12.
- Objective: To treat school education as a continuum (holistic approach) rather than in segments, ensuring universal access, equity, and quality.
- Nature of Scheme: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
- Tenure: Extended from 2021 to 2026.
- Implementing Agency: Executed at the State level through a State Implementation Society (SIS).
- Legislative Backing: It supports States in implementing the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
How is the Scheme Structured?
The scheme subsumes three erstwhile schemes to create a unified administrative structure:
- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Elementary education.
- Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Secondary education.
- Teacher Education (TE): Strengthening SCERTs/DIETs.
What are the Financial Dynamics?
As a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the funding is shared between the Centre and States:
- 90:10 Ratio: For North-Eastern States and Himalayan States.
- 60:40 Ratio: For all other States.
- 100% Funding: For Union Territories without a legislature.
- Conditionality: Release of the Central share is linked to the submission of audit reports, utilization certificates, and compliance with norms (including NEP alignment).
Key Initiatives & Focus Areas
- Girl Child Education: Upgradation of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) from Class 6-8 to Class 6-12; introduction of self-defence training.
- Digital Push: Support for ‘Operation Digital Board’ and strengthening digital initiatives like UDISE+ and Shagun.
- RTE Amendment (Pupil-Teacher Ratio for Special Educators):
- Primary Level: 1 special educator for every 10 pupils with disabilities.
- Upper Primary: 1 special educator for every 15 pupils with disabilities.
How does it align with NEP 2020?
The scheme now incorporates several NEP recommendations:
- NIPUN Bharat: Aims to achieve foundational literacy and numeracy for every child by Grade 3 by 2026-27.
- Vidya Pravesh: A 3-month play-based school preparation module for Grade 1.
- NISHTHA 4.0: Online teacher training focused on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
- Vidyanjali 2.0: A portal connecting community volunteers with schools.
