Integrated science labs, smart classes focus of 5-year education plan – Times of India

Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan was launched in 2018 to provide holistic school education. Instead of disparate schemes that looked at pre-school, primary and secondary schools in silos, the scheme treats school as a continuum — from pre-school and primary to senior secondary levels. The scheme was extended up to 2025-26 in August 2021. The scheme has been aligned with the recommendations of the National Education Policy and “many transformative recommendations of NEP 2020 have been made part of it”, says the five-year plan, a copy of which is with TOI.

The education ministry said the estimated share of the Centre for 2022-23 would be Rs 42,211 crore, while states and UTs would spend Rs 23,443 crore.

Among other thrust areas, the plan includes annual calendar activities, national initiative for proficiency in reading with understanding; implementation of VidyaPravesh — a three-month play-based school preparation module for Class I; targeted and saturation approach for expansion of secondary and senior secondary education; access and retention; and quality and innovation.

Issuing the guidelines, Maneesh Garg, joint secretary, department of school education and literacy, said: “Since, the scheme has been continued for next five years till 2025-26, it’s time for us to initiate proper planning process based on the measurable outcomes so that the scheme is able to showcase some tangible benefits in coming years. The planning exercise should be conducted in a decentralised manner involving all stakeholders right from grassroot level so as to make it realistic, achievable and accountable.”

The government has announced its aim of achieving 100% GER (gross enrolment ratio) at all levels as envisaged in NEP 2020. To this end, the Centre has asked states and UTs to send their proposals for opening new secondary and senior secondary schools based on GIS mapping done by the education ministry.

In a bid to arrest the dropout rate, which is higher in senior classes and to ensure universal access and retention, the ministry suggested “a two two three month readiness module for children entering in Class lX so that they are prepared for the secondary stage”. The document also says that “50% of the composite secondary/ senior secondary schools, as envisaged in NEP 2020, will be provided support for vocational education in the next 4 years”.

The Centre has also asked states and UTs to draw up plans to provide integrated science labs, ensure electricity for ICT and smart classrooms in all schools. This is apart from ensuring that all schools have adequate facilities for toilets, and drinking waterand sanitary pad vending machines in girls’ hostels.