Universalization of Secondary Education in India

Universalization of Secondary Education in India

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  Universalization of Secondary Education BY DRRAJIB SAHA ASSISTANT PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF TEACHER EDUCATION THE WEST BENGAL UNIVERSITY OF TEACHERS’ TRAINING, EDUCATION PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
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  Introduction  Classes IXand X constitute the secondary stage  The normal age group of the children in secondary classes is 14-16  The rigor of the secondary and higher secondary stage, enables Indian students to compete successfully for education and for jobs globally. Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (2001) Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan 2009-10 Sarva Siksha Mission 86th Amendment to the Constitution of India making free and compulsory education to children between the ages of 6 to 14 (estimated to be 205 million children in 2001) a fundamental right(Article- 21A) launched with the objective to enhance access to secondary education and to improve its quality. Elementary Education Higher Education Secondary Education
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  Vision  To providea secondary school within a reasonable distance of any habitation,  Which should be 5 kilometer for secondary schools and 7 -10 kilometers for higher secondary schools.  Ensure universal access of secondary education by 2017 (GER of 100%), and Universal retention by 2020,  To provide access to secondary education with special references to economically Weaker sections of the society, the educationally backward, the girls and the disabled children residing in rural areas and other marginalized categories like SC, ST, OBC and Educationally Backward Minorities (EBM).
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  Goal and Objectives Inorder to meet the challenge of Universalisation of Secondary Education (USE), there is a need for a paradigm shift in the conceptual design of secondary education. The guiding principles in this regard are:  Universal Access,  Equality and Social Justice,  Relevance and Development of Curricular and Structural Aspects..  The concept of ‘common school’ will be encouraged.
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  Access  Expansion ofexisting Secondary & Higher Secondary Schools  Up gradation of Upper Primary Schools based on micro planning exercise with all necessary infrastructure facilities and teachers. Ashram  Schools will be given preference while upgrading upper primary schools.  Up gradation of Secondary Schools in Higher Secondary Schools based upon the requirements.  Opening of new Secondary Schools/ Higher Secondary Schools in un served areas bas on the school mapping exercise. All these buildings will have mandatory water harvesting system and will be disabled friendly.  Rain harvesting systems will be installed in existing school buildings also.  Existing school buildings will also be made disabled friendly.  New schools will also be set up in PPP mode
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  Quality  Providing requiredinfrastructure like, Black Board, furniture, Libraries, Science & Mathematics laboratories, computer labs, toilet cluster.  Appointment of additional teachers and in-service training of teachers.  Bridge course for enhancing learning ability for students passing out of class VIII.  Reviewing curriculum to meet the NCF, 2005 norms.  Residential accommodation for teachers in rural and difficult hilly areas. Preference will be given to accommodation for female teachers.
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  Equity  Free lodging/boarding facilities for students belonging to SC,ST,OBC and minority communities  Hostels/ residential schools, cash incentive, uniform, books, separate toilets for girls.  Providing scholarships to meritorious/ needy students at secondary level.  Inclusive education will be the hallmark of all the activities. Efforts will be made to provide all necessary facilities for the differently abled children in all the schools.  Expansion of Open and Distance Learning needs to be undertaken, especially for those who cannot pursue full time secondary education, and for supplementation / enrichment of face-to-face instruction. This system will also play a crucial role for education of out of school children.
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  Reforms In EducationalAdministration  Modernization / e-governance  Delegation / de-centralization  Rational policy of teacher recruitment, deployment, training, remuneration and career advancement should be undertaken.  Curriculum renewal and formulation has a special place among the diverse responsibilities envisaged for national and state level bodies working in the field of education.  Reform of the prevailing examination system to reduce stress on children and also to enhance its quality.
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  Conclusion  Secondary Educationis a crucial stage in the educational hierarchy as it prepares the students for higher education and also for the world of work. In order to plan for a major expansion of secondary education in the event of achievement of full or near full retention under SSA, setting up of a new Mission for Secondary Education, on the lines of SSA, should be considered. In this paper dealt with Universalization of secondary education by RMSA program. It was implemented in 2009, has an aim of universal access and retention of secondary education by 2017 and 2020.