Allocations have arisen considerably in last three years.
- 2011-12 : Rs 55,746 crores (30% increase over previous year
- 2010-11 : Rs 42,926 crores (64% increase)
- 2009-10 : Rs 26,169 crores
While since 2009-10 there has been an increment of almost 113%, achievements seem to confirm the ASER finding that focus of SSA has been on infrastructure development rather than on learning. Since 80% of overall allocations in 2011-12 have gone towards teachers and school infrastuture.
First of all the achievements:
- Most States have met the access norm of a primary school within 1 km of a habitation.
- 52% primary schools have the mandated pupil-teacher ratio of 30:1.
These are no mean achievements considering the size and the population-density diversity of the country.
Major challenges in terms of targets remain,
- 60% schools in Odisha, Karnataka & Jharkhand do not have a functional toilet.
- Obviously 48% schools still have not achieved the mandated teacher-pupil ratio.
As revealed in the latest ASER report, learning is a huge challenge and should be the focus for the Govt. Now that it is moving in achieving the infrastructure targets.
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Socio Research & Reform Foundation
(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in