The government feels that its flagship programme for universaliastion of education?Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA)?has failed to meet its objectives and in fact led to dilution of the very concept of school and schooling.
According to government sources, studies show the SSA project, in which the central and state governments put together have invested Rs 64,000 crore so far, has compromised on the minimum standards and norms needed for enrolling in schools.
It has also been pointed out that the quality of education imparted under the SSA is of poor quality and the level of attendance as well as learning has been found to be abysmally low.
Contrary to earlier government data, almost 50% children in the 6-14 age group are still deprived of elementary education.
Between 2001-02 and 2004-05, the gross enrollment ratio in primary classes (Class I-V) improved from 96.3% to 107.8% and in the elementary level (Class I-VIII) went up to 93.5% from 82.4%. However, the dropout rate at the elementary level remained as high as 50.8%, down by a meagre 3.81% as compared to that in 2001-02.
Given the drawbacks, the government is planning to transform the SSA into a national mission for quality elementary education in the current Plan period. It has also set certain targets like ensuring universal enrollment of children in the 6-14 age group, enrolling 7 million ?hard-to-reach? children in schools by 2008 and reducing drop out rate from 50.8% to 20% by 2011-12.
The government is also mulling introduction of a regulatory framework for the private schools to ensure equality in schooling.
All these and the need for a central legislation to impart quality education at the elementary level for all children would be discussed at the full Planning Commission meeting to be held on August 28 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.