Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan

“We are setting out a goal of universalizing secondary education. This is clearly the next step after universalizing elementary education. While the goal is laudable much work needs to be done before we are in a position to launch the Scheme for Universalisation of Access for Secondary Education (SUCCESS). Its details need to be quickly spelt out and discussed with States so that we are fully ready to launch it from 2008-09. We must not underestimate the complexity of this task as the principles for universalizing elementary education  cannot be easily transferred to secondary education. The physical, financial, pedagogical and human resource needs are quite different. We also need to recognize the role currently being played by the private sector and policy design must factor this in. Detailed strategies and plans would need to be worked out rapidly for each state. Special attention would need to be paid to Districts with SC/ST/OBC/Minority concentration. The recommendations of the Sachar Committee need to be seriously considered while planning for this programme”.

-Hon’ble Prime Minister in his Independence Day Speech, 2007

Secondary Education is a crucial stage in the educational hierarchy as it prepares the students for higher education and also for the world of work. The rigor of the secondary and higher secondary stage, enables Indian students to compete successfully for education and for jobs globally. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to strengthen this stage by providing greater access and also by improving quality in a significant way.

Since universalisation of elementary education has become a Constitutional mandate, it is absolutely essential to push this vision forward to move towards Universalisation of secondary education, which has already been achieved in a large number of developed countries and several developing countries.

Highlights

• To provide greater access and quality at the secondary and higher secondary stage.
• The Gross Enrolment Ratio for classes IX-XII in 2005-06 was 40.49%. The figure for classes IX and X was 52.26 % whereas that for classes XI and XII was 28.54%.
• Ensure universal access of secondary education by 2017 (GER of 100%), and Universal retention by 2020.
• Providing 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).

Goal

1. Universal Access, Equality and Social Justice, Relevance and Development and Curricular and Structural Aspects.
2. The concept of ‘common school’ should be encouraged.

Objectives

• To ensure that all secondary schools have physical facilities, staffs and supplies at least according to the prescribed standards through financial support in case of Government/ Local Body and Government aided schools, and appropriate regulatory mechanism in the case of other schools.
• To improve access to secondary schooling to all young persons according to norms – through proximate location (say, Secondary Schools within 5 kms, and Higher Secondary Schools within 7-10 kms) / efficient and safe transport arrangements/residential facilities, depending on local circumstances including open schooling. However in hilly and difficult areas, these norms can be relaxed. Preferably residential schools may be set up in such areas.
• To ensure that no child is deprived of secondary education of satisfactory quality due to gender, socio-economic, disability and other barriers.
• To improve quality of secondary education resulting in enhanced intellectual, social and cultural learning.
• To ensure that all students pursuing secondary education receive education of good quality
• Achievement of the above objectives would also, inter-alia, signify substantial progress in the direction of the Common School System