HOWIF supports Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning

Government of India Initiatives

Government of India recognises the challenges faced by the education sector in the country and has come up with innovative programmes that address the various needs and issues.
The Union Budget 2018-19 has proposed to treat school education holistically without segmentation from pre-nursery to Class 12. To achieve this, a comprehensive programme, Samagra Shiksha, has been envisaged with the aim of improving effectiveness of schools and providing equal educational opportunities to all. It has subsumed three previously existing schemes: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). The objective is also to enhance use of digital technology in education through smart classrooms, digital boards and Direct to Home channels. Digital initiatives like Shala Kosh, Shagun, Shaala Saarthi are also helping promote technology in the education sector.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan launched in the year 2000-2001 continues to be India’s main programme for universal elementary education. The interventions under SSA include building of school infrastructure, provisioning for teachers, periodic teacher training and academic resource support, making available learning resources for children like textbooks, computers, libraries, etc.
To ensure equal learning opportunities for all, including girls and the poor, residential schools for girls known as Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas have been set up, and local level accountability has been established by engaging with community based organizations.
The Mid-day Meal scheme is aimed at increasing enrolment in primary schools as well as improving the nutritional status of primary school children.
The country moved to a right-based education framework with the implementation of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education(RTE) Act, 2009. The right casts a legal obligation on the Central and State governments to provide and ensure admission, attendance and completion of elementary education by all children in the 6-14 years age group. In addition, to improve access to secondary education, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan was launched in 2009 to achieve an enrolment rate of 75 percent at secondary school level by providing a secondary school within reasonable distance of habitation.

Source:NITI Aayog, Government of India