On March 24, 2025, the Ministry of Education, through the Department of School Education and Literacy, highlighted its commitment to providing quality education to all children under its integrated centrally sponsored scheme, Samagra Shiksha. This initiative aligns with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on a holistic approach to school education that spans from pre-primary to class XII. The scheme aims to bridge educational gaps, ensure equity, and create an inclusive classroom environment for every student, regardless of their background or academic abilities.
Key Objectives of Samagra Shiksha
The Samagra Shiksha scheme envisions a comprehensive strategy to support children’s education, emphasizing equity and inclusivity. The primary goal is to ensure that all children, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds, have access to quality education in an environment that respects their diversity. The scheme addresses the multilingual needs of students, catering to different learning abilities and fostering active participation in the learning process. It aligns with the NEP 2020, which promotes a more inclusive, flexible, and creative education system.
Financial Support and Interventions Under Samagra Shiksha
The Samagra Shiksha scheme provides financial assistance to States and Union Territories (UTs) to support various provisions aimed at improving the quality of education. These provisions cover a wide range of areas, including:
- Free uniforms and textbooks for children at the elementary level.
- Reimbursement under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, ensuring that every child has access to free and compulsory education.
- Development of multilingual teaching materials and textbooks, particularly for tribal languages.
- Transport and escort services for students up to the secondary level to ensure access to education.
- Special training programs for the age-appropriate admission of out-of-school children and to support their reintegration into the formal education system.
- Support for children with special needs through identification, assessment, and provision of necessary aids such as braille kits, appliances, and stipends for girls with disabilities.
- Construction and strengthening of school infrastructure, including new classrooms, hostels, science labs, computer rooms, and provision of basic facilities like toilets, drinking water, and ramps for differently-abled students.
- Teacher capacity building programs, particularly to help general teachers address the unique learning needs of children with special needs (CwSN).
Initiatives for Out-of-School Children and Special Needs Students
The Government has taken significant steps to ensure that every child, including those from marginalized groups, has access to education. Notably:
- Seasonal hostels and residential camps are set up to provide a safe learning environment for children from remote areas, ensuring they can continue their education uninterrupted.
- Prashast App: This mobile app aids in the early screening and identification of children with special needs in regular schools, improving the support system for these students.
- NISHTHA Teacher Training Program: Teachers are trained in a hybrid mode to better address the learning requirements of children with special needs, ensuring more inclusive classrooms.
Bridging the Literacy Gap Through ULLAS
The New India Literacy Programme (NILP), also known as ULLAS, targets adults aged 15 years and above who missed formal schooling. The initiative aims to provide educational opportunities to make them literate and empower them with basic education. This program, which runs from FY 2022-23 to 2026-27, has made notable strides with more than 2.2 crore learners and 40 lakh volunteer teachers already registered on the ULLAS App. The app offers learning materials in multiple languages, ensuring that literacy is accessible to all.
Digital and Infrastructure Support for Rural Areas
To bridge the gap between rural and urban educational access, digital interventions are being supported under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. These include:
- ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms, which provide modern technology to enhance the learning experience.
- PM e-Vidya, including platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM PRABHA, offer online education and resources through DTH-TV Channels and digital platforms, enabling students to learn remotely.
The scheme also supports the construction of essential infrastructure such as school buildings, additional classrooms, toilets, and science labs, ensuring that schools have the necessary facilities to provide a conducive learning environment.
Financial Plans and Implementation
The scheme’s success lies in its tailored approach to the needs of each State and UT. Annual plans are developed by the States, based on their specific priorities and requirements, including infrastructure development, teacher salaries, and educational material. These plans are then appraised and approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB), ensuring that the funding and interventions meet the program’s objectives and financial norms.
