Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
[Abstract]
India’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is the world’s most successful school
programme . It was launched in 2001 towards the culmination of Ninth Five-Year
Plan (1997-2002) to achieve the goal of universalization of elementary education
in the country.
It focuses on compulsory education of children in the age group 6-14 years.
Education Guarantee Scheme, and Alternative Innovative Education Scheme for
children living in remote areas or dropouts and those who did not join school in
time, is the two components of this sc It has played a pivotal role in improving the
education landscape in the country. Here are some key points about SSA and its
Focus on Universal Elementary Education SSA is dedicated to achieving universal elementary education
for children in the age group of 6-14 years. It includes the Education Guarantee Scheme and the Alternative
and Innovative Education Scheme to cater to children in remote areas, dropouts, and those who did not enroll
on time. The program focuses on bridging gender and social disparities in elementary education. It gives
special attention to the educational needs of girls, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), children
with disabilities, and disadvantaged children. Community ownership SSA emphasizes community ownership
of the school system, involving Panchayati Raj Institutions, School Management Committees, and various
grassroots structures in the management of elementary schools. It encourages a partnership between the central,
state, and local governments. The program sets clear objectives, including ensuring that all children are in
school, completing eight years of elementary schooling by 2010, achieving universal retention, and bridging
gender and social gaps. SSA recognizes the central role of teachers and advocates for their development needs.
It establishes Block Resource Centres/Cluster Resource Centres , promotes the recruitment of qualified
teachers, and supports teacher development through various initiatives. Public partner ownership While
acknowledging the role of government and government-aided schools, SSA also recognizes the existence of
private unaided schools. Efforts are made to encourage equity and access in private schools, and public-private
partnerships are explored .Success and Recognition The program has been widely recognized for its success.
The World Bank has referred to SSA as the "world's most successful program," and it has significantly
contributed to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of ensuring universal education
Enrollment and Infrastructure SSA has led to a substantial increase in enrollment, with millions of
children joining schools. The addition of thousands of schools has also contributed to improving
infrastructure and access to education Challenges and Future Need Despite the success in elementary
education, there is a recognition of the need for similar efforts in higher education and vocational training.
The focus on gross enrollment ratio in higher education and the potential creation of a program similar to
SSA for higher education are highlighted
Schools turned out more than 17 million students eligible for higher education in 2008-09, three times the
number five years ago. Similarly, 14.2 million children joined schools in 2008-09, increasing the enrollment
to over 206 million, about 96.4 per cent of the child population. A 15 per cent increase over enrolment
percentage of 80, when the programme started in 2001. More than 34,000 schools were added over the last
five years-almost 30 per cent of the 1.2 million schools in India.
World Bank has called the SSA, “world’s most successful programme”. Over 200 million children now go to
school, double the number a decade ago. The programme has made the Millennium Development Goal of
ensuring that every child goes to school by 2015 look achievable.
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) program in India reflect a mixed picture, showcasing
both achievements and challenges Increased Enrollment: One of the positive outcomes is the increase in
overall school enrollment, with millions of children gaining access to education. However, it's noted that there
was a decline in absolute enrollment in government schools, as some parents opted for private schools.
Preference for Private Schools The trend of parents choosing private schools over government schools suggests
that despite the efforts of SSA, there may still be concerns about the quality of education and infrastructure in
public institutions. This preference for private schools could be due to perceived better standards or facilities .
Learning Levels The SSA's impact on improving learning levels appears to be limited. The observation that
learning levels remained low and, in some cases, experienced stagnation or decline, indicates a need for a
more comprehensive
The information provided highlights significant cost differentials between government (public) schools and
private schools in India, emphasizing both the financial burden on the government and potential inefficiencies in the
public education system. Here are some key points to consider:
Cost Disparities: The data suggests that educating a student in a government school is twice as costly as in a private
school. The additional cost per student in public schools amounts to INR 7,906 (approximately USD 100), leading to a
substantial financial burden on the government.
Aggregate Government Spending: At an aggregate level, the Indian government spent an extra INR 500 billion
(roughly USD 6.66 billion) to educate children in public schools compared to what it would have cost in private
schools. This implies a significant allocation of resources towards public education.
Quality-Adjusted Costs: The figures presented do not account for differences in the quality of education between public
and private schools. To achieve the same level of learning outcomes as private schools, the government would have had
to spend an additional INR 2.32 trillion (roughly USD 28.3 billion), indicating a potential efficiency gap in public education.
Possible Reasons for Higher Costs: The reasons behind the higher costs in public schools are not explicitly outlined in the
information provided. However, it suggests that lower enrollment in public schools and potentially higher teacher salaries
could contribute to the increased per-student costs. The ethical concerns regarding teacher remuneration are also noted.
Implications for Policy: The cost disparities and the need for additional spending to match private school learning
outcomes raise questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of public education policies. Policymakers may need to
address structural issues contributing to higher costs and explore strategies to enhance the quality of public education.
Broader Ethical Considerations: The mention of lower teacher salaries in private schools raises ethical concerns. While it
may contribute to cost-effectiveness, it could also impact the livelihoods and motivation of teachers. Balancing cost
considerations with fair compensation for educators is a complex challenge that education policymakers often grapple
with.
The information underscores the financial challenges and potential inefficiencies in the public education
system in India. It highlights the importance of addressing these issues to ensure effective use of resources and
the delivery of quality education to all students, irrespective of the type of school.
Policymakers should conduct a through and critical evaluation of the education system, identifying both the root
causes and proximate causes of the issues at hand. Understanding the underlying challenges is crucial for
designing effective interventions . Avoid scaling up programs or systems that are not yielding desired results.
Instead, focus on addressing the fundamental issues contributing to the problems in the education sector. policy
implications underscore the need for a thoughtful and evidence-based approach to education policy. By critically
assessing the root causes, setting ambitious yet realistic goals, and effectively utilizing financial resources,
policymakers can enhance the chances of success in addressing the challenges within the education system. The
focus should be on achieving not just quantitative goals but also qualitative improvements in the delivery of
education.
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has been instrumental in transforming the educational landscape in India, ensuring
access to quality elementary education for millions of children and addressing various socio-economic disparities
in the process.
