Lok Sabha Question No. 1913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Primary Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1913 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## Primary Education

1913. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the country has enough set up for providing skill development which would help many to get jobs, but also offering good, strong primary education;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  of  the  opinion  that  along  with  skills  training,  a  good
- strong education would help the youth to maximise their potential in the long run; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof with the Government initiatives in this line?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) (&) (b): Yes Madam. The Government is implementing a flagship scheme known as Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  on  pan-India  basis  which  enables prospective  youth  to  take  up  Short  Term  Training  (STT)  and  Recognition  of  Prior Learning (RPL) through accredited and affiliated training centers. The scheme has two components namely Centrally Sponsored Centrally Managed  (CSCM)  which is implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)  and Centrally Sponsored State Managed (CSSM) which is implemented by State Skill Development Missions  of  the  States/UTs  popularly  known  as  State-Engagement  Component  of PMKVY (2016-20). Under CSCM- PMKVY 2016-20, as on 10.07.2018, approximately 7213 Training Centres are operational and approximately 31.13 lakh candidates have been trained/undergoing training under STT, RPL and Special Project. Further, under

CSSM component of PMKVY 2016-20, skill development training is provided in 1,080 training centres across 27 States.

Significant  efforts  have  also  been  made  by  the  Government  to  universalise  primary education through the  erstwhile  Centrally  Sponsored  scheme  of  Sarva  Shiksha Abhiyan. Further,  Government  of  India  has  recently  launched  Samagra  Shiksha  -  An Integrated  Scheme  for  school  education  w.e.f.  2018-19  which  is  an  overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class XII and which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable  quality  education  at  all  levels  of  school education. Its overall goals include universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps in education and enhancement of learning levels of children.

The curriculum  of  elementary  education  aims  to  provide  a  broad  learning  experience and encourages a rich variety of approaches to teaching and learning that cater to the different  needs  of  individual  children.  At  this  stage,  the  focus  is  on  the  overall development  that  cuts  across  all  subject  areas  so  that  the  children  acquire  essential skills  such  as  problem  solving  skills,  personal  character  and  values,  physical  and aesthetic  development,  ICT  skills,  interpersonal  skills  and  cognitive  skills  for  laying  a firm  foundation  of  learning.  All  these  skills  have  been  integrated  with  the  subjects offered in classes at the elementary stage.

(c) & (d): Yes Madam. In order to build a strong foundation, Samagra Shiksha focuses on improvement in quality of education by providing support for different interventions like in-service training of teachers and school heads, conduct of achievement surveys at state  and  national  level,  composite  school  grant  to  every  school  for  providing  a conducive  learning  environment,  grants  for  library,  sports  and  physical  activities, support for Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan, ICT and digital initiatives, School  Leadership development programme, remedial teaching for academically weaker students, support for Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, etc.

The component of Vocationalisation of School Education under Samagra Shiksha aims to integrate  vocational  education  with  general  academic  education  and  prepare employable youth for various sectors of the economy and global market. The curriculum of  vocational subjects for Classes IX to XII is divided into two major components - a) employability skills and  b) vocational skills. The  employability skills  encompass Communication,  Self-management,  ICT,  Entrepreneurship  development  and  Green skills. The vocational skills are specific to job roles offered by the school. Thus, quality education  under  Samagra  Shiksha  coupled  with  skill  training  provide  for  a  strong foundation and also enable the students to make informed career choices on the basis of their capabilities, aspirations and work opportunities available.

*****