Himachal Fares Well In Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

By: Sep 16th, 2017 12:25 am

Y.S. Rana

The writer is a Hamirpur based Himachali settled in Chandigarh

NEWSThis body (Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan) was borne after its scheduled delivery date. But it is going to be underweight and if its bickering parents (governments) do not see eye to eye, soon it may even have to be put on a ventilator. Such is the state of SSA in many states. While some state governments have already given it a quite burial whereas for some it is a source of picnic or siphoning SSA funds for some other purposes. While the stress on neighbourhood schooling education policy over the past 15 years has increased enrollment at primary level but it also caused a proliferation of poor quality of education. To address this problem, the Himachal government decided to consolidate existing schools and shifted its focus from ‘access’ to ‘quality’ education. The intent of the government has paid dividend if the facts sheet of government is of any indication.

The state reports better Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) than the threshold of 30:1 mandated by the Right To Education Act. On an average it is 10 while that for primary and upper primary schools PTR is below 17. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for both boys (104.83) and girls (104.46) across rural and urban areas is above 100 compared to national average 99 for both boys and girls. Physical infrastructure has been a priority for the government. Over 78% classrooms are in good condition. There are only 304 primary schools with single room and 250 upper primary schools. An official of the education directorate while talking to Himachal This Week on telephone said that the state has opened new schools; created additional space in existing schools; improved infrastructure; opened AIE Centres to serve as preparatory schools.

While the state had 5.62% drop-out rate in 2012-13 that has come down to 4.13% in 2015 which again declined to 0.68% among boys and 1.06% among girls at primary level and in case of upper primary level it is 0.81% among boys and 1.16% among girls in 2016, stated he.

Daleep Verma, Planning (SSA) revealed that funding pattern under SSA between the central government and the States/UTs is in the ratio of 65:35 for the first two years (2007-09); 60:40 for the third year 2009-10; 55:45 for the fourth year (2010-11 and 50:50 for 2011-12 onwards. Given tough terrain of this hilly state coupled with decrease in funds threatened the future of the flagship programme, he says.

S.K. Setia, former DPI (Schools), Chandigarh felt the despite being highly-ambitious, the SSA ran into rough weather in several states while it was a response to the demand for quality basic education. It was an effort towards universalizing elementary education by community-ownership of the school system in a mission mode but with passes of time many roadblocks had come in its way, he feels.The official admitted crunch of staff but stated the state has done well in providing education to its children. True, consolidation may call for high initial costs but better results in future.

Achievements

* Drop out rate in schools in Himachal declines from 5.62% in 2012-13 to 0.86% in 2016

* Himachal has better Pupil Teacher Ratio than the threshold of 30:1 mandated by the Right To Education Act

* Pupil Teacher Ratio in Himachal on an average is below 17 for primary and upper primary schools

Low Drop Out Rate

Drop Out Rate     Boys       Girls       Total

Primary               0.68     1.06     0.86

Upper Primary       0.81     1.16     0.97

Secondary           7.65     6.37     7.06

Class XI              9.05     6.73     7.97

Better Pupil Teacher Ratio

School  Pupil Teacher Ratio     

Primary            12.40

Upper Primary      13.24

Secondary           18.68

Higher Secondary  12.19

Much Needs To Be Done

Schools with Single Classroom

Primary            304

Upper Primary      250

Secondary            5

Higher Secondary   0

Source U-DISE data as on 30-9-2016

Himachal-o-Meter

The state’s ups and downs this week

Drugs Manufactured In Himachal’s Nine Industries Found Sub- Standard

BBN:Drugs manufactured at nine drugs industries of Himachal has been found sub-standard by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). These sub-standard medicines were manufactures in drugs industries situated in Baddi, Nalagarh, Mehatpur and Paonta Sahib. Besides this, drugs manufactured by 22 other drugs industries of the country were found sub-standard by CDSCO. The medicines that were found sub-standard by CDSCO includes that of thyroid, cancer, diabetes, asthama, gastric, pain killer, fever and antibiotic medicines. These medicines have failed in various parameters like sterility, extractable volume, particulate matter and total viable cell etc. The state Drugs Controller Authority after CDSCO alert has swung into action and has issued a notice to related companies directing them to withdraw entire batch of medicines declared sub-standard by CDSCO.

Himachal’s Wetlands To Receive Facelift

Shimla: The Ministry of Environment and Forests has approved projects for three wetlands in order to conserve shrinking and dying wetlands in Himachal. Khajiar wetland will be conserved with an amount of Rs. 1.6 crore while Revalsar wetalnd and Chandratal will receive a financial help of Rs. 55 lakh and Rs. 13 lakh respectively. Kunal Satyarthi, Member Secretary, State Council for Science, Technology and Environment during the two day seminar on integrated management of wetlands told Himachal This Week that the proposals for Renuka and Pong wetlands has been sent to the ministry in second phase and has received principles approval. Besides this, mapping of wetlands will also be carried through satellite with help from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).


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