Question

Explain the schemes launched in India for the spread of education.

Hint:

Sort the schemes by school stage: elementary (SSA, RTE), secondary (RMSA), support (Mid-Day Meal), and the unified Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Beyond girl-specific programs, India has run several broad schemes aimed at spreading education to all children, especially in poorer and rural areas.

Step 2: Key schemes.
1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (2001): a flagship program to provide free and compulsory elementary education to all children aged 6 to 14, by building schools, training teachers, and reducing dropout.
2. Right to Education Act (2009): makes free and compulsory education a legal right for children aged 6 to 14, requiring schools to admit children regardless of background.
3. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): extends the same push for access, quality, and equity to the secondary school level (classes 9 to 12).
4. Mid-Day Meal Scheme: provides free school meals, which both fights child hunger and encourages attendance and retention.
5. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: an integrated scheme (from 2018) that combines earlier programs like SSA and RMSA into one, covering school education from pre-school to class 12.

Final Answer:
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Right to Education Act, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan are major schemes launched in India for the spread of education.