Lok Sabha Question No. 148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Details of Degreeholders
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 148 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019

## Details of Degreeholders

## †148. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT मानव संसाधन िवकास मंᮢालय be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether only 45 per cent male and 22 per cent female in rural areas and only 17 per cent male and 13 per cent female in urban areas possess degree or more Higher Educational qualification;
- (b)      if so, the details thereof;
- (c)      whether average education years in rural areas is lesser than the national average;
- (d)      if so, the details thereof;
- (e)      the steps taken by the Government to increase the average years of education; and
- (f)      the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  interest  among  children  for  higher education in the country specially in rural areas?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

- (a) & (b):  As per the Census, 2011 the percentage of male and female in urban and rural areas who possess degree or more Higher Educational qualifications is as follows:
- (c) & (d):  As per UNDP report on Human Development Indices and Indicators, 2018, the mean years of schooling in India is 6.4 as against 12.3 expected years of schooling.
- (e) & (f): Various steps taken by the Government in this regard are as follows:

|       |   Male |   Female |
|-------|--------|----------|
| Urban |   18.4 |     14.5 |
| Rural |    5.5 |      2.4 |

Centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha has been launched from the year 2018-19, which subsumes the three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). Under the  scheme,  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  States  and  UTs  for  undertaking  various activities  to  increase  enrolment  including  opening/upgradation  of  new  schools  upto  senior secondary  level,  strengthening  of  existing  school  infrastructure,  setting  up  and  running  of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV), setting up of residential schools/hostels, free uniforms,  free  text  books  and  undertaking  enrolment  &  retention  drives.  Further,  special training  for  age  appropriate  admission  of  out  of  school  children  and  residential  as  well  as non-residential training of older children, seasonal hostels/residential camps, special training centres  at  worksites,  transport/escort  facilities  are  also  supported  to  bring  out  of  school children  to  the  formal  schooling  system.  Also, mid-day  meal is  provided to  students  at  the elementary level of education (ii) Strategic funding and reforms in the State Higher Education sector are being undertaken through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan(RUSA). (iii) Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) has been established under the Companies Act,  2013  to  leverage  funds  from  market  to  finance  improvement  in  infrastructure  in  top institutions of education. (iv)  With  the  devolution of  more  funds  to  the  States  as  recommended by  the  14th  Finance

Commission, States are in position to prioritize allocation of funds to education sector.

(v) Also in order to increase enrolment in higher educational institutions, various measures have been taken by the Government which includes issuing of new UGC regulation for Open and  Distance  Learning  that  allows  entry  of  reputed  institutions  to  offer  education  on  the distance mode, Using of ICT technology-SWAYAM portal to reach out of people and allow them to secure good quality education and Opening of more centrally funded institutions.

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