Lok Sabha Question No. 3868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: Impact of Implementation of Educational Initiatives
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO3868

ANSWERED ON- 24.03.2025

## IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES

3868. Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of students and teachers who have been directly benefited from the upgradation of 3,656 schools under the Samagra Siksha Scheme;
- (b) the manner by which Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme (PM-POSHAN) contributed to the inclusion of disadvantaged and under reserved communities in education;
- (c)  the  regions  where  Understanding  of  Lifelong  Learning  for  All  in  Society  (ULLAS)  has  been particularly successful and the factors contributed to that success;
- (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the  continuity  and  sustainability  of  Eco  Clubs  in schools; and
- (e) the current status of PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) schools in achieving full compliance with National Education Policy, 2020 guidelines?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a): Schools upgraded from 2018-19 to 2024-25 is as below:

| No. of Schools Upgraded from 2018-19 to 2024-25                                                                               | Enrolment from class 6 to 12 in these schools                                                                                 | Teachers in these schools                                                                                                     |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 3680                                                                                                                          | 644038                                                                                                                        | 33207                                                                                                                         |
| Source- the number of upgraded schools is from PRABANDH (February, 2025) and enrollment and teachers are from UDISE+ 2023-24. | Source- the number of upgraded schools is from PRABANDH (February, 2025) and enrollment and teachers are from UDISE+ 2023-24. | Source- the number of upgraded schools is from PRABANDH (February, 2025) and enrollment and teachers are from UDISE+ 2023-24. |

- (b): PM POSHAN Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented in partnership with the States and UTs. This Scheme is implemented across the country including in rural and backward regions and covers  all  children  of  Balvatika  (just  before  class  I)  and  Classes  I-VIII  studying  in  Government  and Government-Aided Schools. The objectives of the Scheme are to address two of the pressing problems for majority of children in India, viz. hunger and education by:
- i) Improving the nutritional status of children studying in Bal Vatika (just before class I) and classes I-VIII in Government and Government-Aided Schools without any discrimination.
- ii) Encouraging poor children, belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly and help them concentrate on classroom activities.
- iii) Providing nutritional support to children of elementary stage in drought / disaster affected areas during summer vacation and disaster times.
- (c): ULLAS : The Government of India is implementing ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, which stands for U nderstanding of L ifelong L earning for A ll in S ociety since FY 2022-23. In pursuance to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the scheme targets non-literates aged 15 and above who

missed  formal  schooling.  The  scheme  is  implemented  in  a  hybrid  mode,  allowing  States/UTs  the flexibility to employ offline, online, or blended approaches. ULLAS is based on the vision of making Bharat 'Jan Jan Saakshar' , driven by Kartavyabodh (a sense of duty), utilising School/HEIs platforms and  community  engagement  through  volunteerism.  A  dedicated  ULLAS  Mobile  App  has  been developed for registering learners and volunteer teachers and it also enables teaching learning process.

The scheme is being implemented in all States and UTs in the country except West Bengal and Bihar. A total no of 2,20,48746 learners and more than 40 lakh volunteer teachers have been registered on  the  ULLAS  Mobile  App.  More  than  1.28  crore  Neo-literates/beneficiaries  have  appeared  in  the Foundational  Literacy  Numeracy  Assessment  Test  conducted  under  ULLAS  Scheme.  The  scheme  is effectively implementing in all regions of the country. Ladakh achieved full literacy in June 2024. The success  of  these  regions  can  be  attributed  to  a  combination  of  government  policies,  community involvement, technological integration, targeted learning programs, and inclusive outreach efforts.

(d): Eco Clubs serve as a critical platform within schools, providing students with the opportunity to develop  practical skills and  knowledge  for  the  responsible use of natural  resources.  Through participation in activities such as optimizing water usage, minimizing waste generation, recycling, and conducting plantation drives, students learn sustainable practices that they can implement both within and beyond the school environment. Eco Clubs empower students to act as environmental ambassadors, extending their impact to their families and communities by promoting sound environmental behaviour, such  as  reducing  single-use  plastics,  conserving  water,  and  participating  in  eco-friendly  initiatives. Through  these  engagements,  students  gain  a  profound  understanding  of  the  shared  responsibility  to preserve and protect our planet, thereby advancing NEP 2020's objective of nurturing environmentally conscious citizens for a sustainable India. The activities of Eco Clubs have been integrated with Mission LiFE, leading to their renaming as 'Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE.' All the activities of Eco Clubs have been aligned with the seven themes of Mission LiFE (Save Energy, Save Water, Say No to Single Use Plastic,  Adopt  Sustainable  Food  Systems,  Reduce  Waste,  Adopt  Healthy  Lifestyles  and  Reduce  Ewaste).

(e) Under PM SHRI scheme, more than 14500 PM SHRI Schools are to be set up by strengthening the existing  schools  from  amongst  schools  managed  by  Central  Government/State/UT  Government/local bodies out of which 12,505 PM SHRI Schools have been selected. PM SHRI schools aims to showcase all the initiatives of National Education Policy 2020 and emerge as exemplar schools over a period of time, and also offer leadership to other schools in the neighbourhood by saturating these schools  with various  components  of  NEP  2020.  These  includes  Computer  Lab/ICT  Lab/Smart  Classrooms, Vocational  Skill  Education,  Internet  Facility,  Library,  Fully  Equipped  Science  Lab//Biology  Lab, Playground with Well- Equipped Sports Facilities, Green School Features, School Innovation Council, Functional Youth and Eco Club for Mission LIFE, Capacity Building of School Principal/Teachers and Jadui Pitara for Primary School Children, 10 bagless days for students etc.

*****