School dropouts down over 90 per cent: UNESCO
10 April 2015 5:32 AM IST
The latest report of UNESCO has brought some good news for the country in general and Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani in particular. According to the Education for All 2000-2015 report published by UNESCO, India has reduced its “out of school” children by over 90 per cent and has achieved “universal primary education” target.
“India has successfully moved towards reaching the EFA goals, especially in ensuring near universal elementary education and enrolment of girls. Country’s efforts have been backed by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and the national Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme,” said Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani while releasing the report on Thursday.
Stressing on ensuring participation of girls in education, Irani said, “Our government-led by Prime Minister Modi has recently launched Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (save the girl, educate the girl) to encourage girl child education in the country.”
On the occasion, Irani said, “The initiatives to improve the enrolment level and a new paradigm of education that fosters knowledge, analytical skills, vertical reasoning and the ability to imagine beyond the given is being adopted”, adding that the ministry is carrying out the vision of the Prime Minister of making education a pillar in nation’s character building.
“In fact, India is predicted to be the only country in South and West Asia to have an equal ratio of girls to boys in both primary and secondary education,” the UNESCO report said. The report further stated that India has made progress in increasing the net enrolment ratio of children in primary education by redistributing more economic gains in the education sector. The elementary education budget increased more than twofold between 2007-08 and 2012-13.
“However, there could be more improvement in allocating appropriate funds to schools as there are several cases of banking delays and cases of cash transfers not reaching schools,” the report released by HRD minister said.
Highlighting the changes in rural India, the report said, “Between 2003 and 2010, rural India saw substantial improvement in nearly all aspects of school facilities and infrastructure. Some 45 per cent of schools now have electricity compared to 20 per cent and 78 per cent of roads are paved within 1 km of schools versus 63 per cent.”
“India has successfully moved towards reaching the EFA goals, especially in ensuring near universal elementary education and enrolment of girls. Country’s efforts have been backed by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and the national Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme,” said Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani while releasing the report on Thursday.
Stressing on ensuring participation of girls in education, Irani said, “Our government-led by Prime Minister Modi has recently launched Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (save the girl, educate the girl) to encourage girl child education in the country.”
On the occasion, Irani said, “The initiatives to improve the enrolment level and a new paradigm of education that fosters knowledge, analytical skills, vertical reasoning and the ability to imagine beyond the given is being adopted”, adding that the ministry is carrying out the vision of the Prime Minister of making education a pillar in nation’s character building.
“In fact, India is predicted to be the only country in South and West Asia to have an equal ratio of girls to boys in both primary and secondary education,” the UNESCO report said. The report further stated that India has made progress in increasing the net enrolment ratio of children in primary education by redistributing more economic gains in the education sector. The elementary education budget increased more than twofold between 2007-08 and 2012-13.
“However, there could be more improvement in allocating appropriate funds to schools as there are several cases of banking delays and cases of cash transfers not reaching schools,” the report released by HRD minister said.
Highlighting the changes in rural India, the report said, “Between 2003 and 2010, rural India saw substantial improvement in nearly all aspects of school facilities and infrastructure. Some 45 per cent of schools now have electricity compared to 20 per cent and 78 per cent of roads are paved within 1 km of schools versus 63 per cent.”
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