Centre releases Rs. 95 cr. for education scheme

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 21. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), launched in the last financial year for the universalisation of elementary education, has till date been introduced in 214 districts in 26 States and the Union Territories.

The Government has released Rs. 95 crores for preparatory work under the scheme which will cover all the 593 districts of the country by March next year, official sources said here. The target is to bring all the children in the age- group of 6-14 to school/alternative school by 2003, provide five years of primary education by 2007, and eight years of elementary education by 2010.

To be operationalised in a mission mode, SSA will be implemented in partnership with States and local bodies with the thrust being on community involvement and ownership. All the existing Centrally-sponsored schemes in elementary education - save the National Bal Bhavan and the National Council for Teacher Education - will converge with SSA after the current five year plan period.

Expenditure will be shared between the Centre and the States in the ratio of 85:15 during the 9th Plan, 75:25 in the 10th Plan, and 50:50 thereafter. While Rs. 500 crore has been set apart for the programme in the current year, it is estimated that an additional Rs. 60,000 crore will be required from the Centre and the States over the next decade for the universalisation of elementary education through SSA.

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Section  : National
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