Lok Sabha Question No. 117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Objectives of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO117

ANSWERED ON- 01/12/2025

## OBJECTIVES OF SAMAGRA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN

## †117. SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is fact that despite the declared objective such as universal access, gender equality inclusive education,  digital  access,  vocational  education  and  teacher  training  set  under  the  Samagra  Shiksha Scheme, the impact of these interventions has not reached the desired level, at the ground level;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  learning  outcomes,  transition  rates  and  quality  of  education  have  not  improved significantly so far under the said Scheme, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether adequate resources or trained manpower have not been provided to promote technology use, strengthen institutional mechanisms and ensure effective convergence and monitoring; and
- (e) if so, the various steps taken by the Government to address the said issues so far and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The Department of School Education and Literacy is implementing an Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education- Samagra Shiksha since 2018-19. The scheme has been aligned with the recommendations of the National Education Policy, 2020 with the aim to ensure that all children have  access  to  quality  education  with  an  equitable  and  inclusive  classroom  environment.  Under  the scheme,  various  interventions  like  access  to  infrastructure  and  resources,  enabling  environment  for retention, quality and innovations, learning outcomes and its assessment, bridging social and gender gap, inclusive and skilling interventions,  capacity building of teachers,  establishment and  strengthening of teacher education institutions etc. are supported across all levels of school education.

As a result,  substantial  advancements have been made in ensuring universal access across all levels of school education as evident from the major indicators like Gross Access Ratio (GAR), Gender Parity Index (GPI) and Enrolment of Children With Special Needs (CWSN)-

| Level            | GAR^    | GAR^    | GPI of GER*   | GPI of GER*   | CWSN Enrolment*   | CWSN Enrolment*   |
|------------------|---------|---------|---------------|---------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|                  | 2018-19 | 2024-25 | 2018-19       | 2024-25       | 2018-19           | 2024-25           |
| Primary          | 97.15   | 97.83   | 1.0           | 1.0           | 1138326           | 943512            |
| Upper Primary    | 96.49   | 96.57   | 1.0           | 1.0           | 646735            | 698544            |
| Secondary        | 88.24   | 95.35   | 1.0           | 1.0           | 247788            | 324941            |
| Higher Secondary | 65.05   | 94.97   | 1.03          | 1.1           | 78648             | 149022            |

^Source: AWP&B, *Source: UDISE of respective years.

The National Achievement Survey (NAS) was conducted in 2017 and again in 2021 to assess the learning levels of students in Grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 across language, mathematics, environmental studies, science and social science. The State-wise and District-wise report cards are available in public domain and are available at https://nas.gov.in/report-card.

PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 was conducted on 4th December, 2024 to understand the baseline performance among students at the end of the Foundational, Preparatory and Middle Stages in grade 3,6 and 9. National, State and District level reports for PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 are available at  https://dashboard.parakh.ncert.gov.in/en. The findings of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 highlight a significant improvement when compared to NAS 21 scores in foundational literacy and numeracy skills, thereby, reflecting the positive impact of the NIPUN Bharat Mission launched under NEP 2020.

There is substantial improvement in transition rate from Secondary to Higher Secondary from 68.8 in 2018-19 to 75.1 in 2024-25.

Financial support is provided as per state specific proposals for in-service training of teachers, school Heads, subject teachers, resource persons, master trainers, Education Administrators, Teachers Educators, key resource persons, induction training of newly recruited teachers including those in rural and remote areas at elementary and secondary levels through SCERTs and DIETs, as the nodal agencies.

National  Initiative  for  School  Heads'  and  Teachers'  Holistic  Advancement  (NISHTHA)  is  a capacity building programme for "Improving Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training". NISHTHA online was launched using DIKSHA platform in October, 2020. NISHTHA training has been extended to secondary stage teachers in 2021-22. NISHTHA also caters to Foundational Literacy and Numeracy and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for training of master trainers.

The Government has decided to develop all functional 613 District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) into Centers of Excellence under the centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha in  a  phased  manner  starting  from  FY  2023-24.  Based  on  proposals  submitted  by  States/UTs,  the Government has sanctioned financial assistance of Rs. 2,429.59 Crore for upgradation of 246 DIETs till date.

Further, in line with the recommendations of NEP, 2020, the Government has released a Guiding Document on the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) and Bluebook on the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM). NPST defines competencies of teachers at different stages/levels. The Bluebook on NMM contains the various modalities for mentoring of school teachers for enhancing their capacity building.

National  Council  for  Teacher  Education  (NCTE)  has  notified  Integrated  Teacher  Education Programme (ITEP), a 4-year integrated dual major bachelor degree in Education as well as a specialized subject in arts, science, physical education etc. The aim is to develop passionate, motivated, qualified, professionally trained, and well-prepared teachers. Admission for the ITEP is carried out by the National Testing Agency (NTA) through the National Common Entrance Test (NCET), which was last held on 29th April, 2025.