The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme, an integrated program for school education, has been extended until the 2025-26 academic year. Launched in 2018, the scheme covers education from pre-school through Class 12 across India. It combines the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE) programs into a unified system.
Scheme Overview and Alignment
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan integrates previous education initiatives. It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and supports the Right to Education Act 2009 . The program aims to improve school access, ensure equity, boost education quality, and integrate digital technology. It provides inclusive learning environments for all children, addressing diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Core Objectives
The scheme focuses on several key objectives to deliver equitable, inclusive, and quality education:
- Implement NEP 2020 and RTE Act 2009 provisions.
- Prioritize Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
- Strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
- Use a holistic, integrated, inclusive, and experiential curriculum.
- Improve student learning outcomes.
- Bridge social and gender equity gaps in education.
- Enhance teacher training through SCERTs and DIETs.
- Ensure safe and secure learning environments.
- Promote vocational education and skill development.
Key Components
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan implements its goals through various components:
Holistic Education
The scheme treats schooling as a continuous process from pre-school to Class 12. It establishes a single, flexible administrative structure for this educational continuum.
Quality Improvement
Efforts focus on teachers and technology. This includes enhanced teacher training and strengthening teacher education institutions. Programs like Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan and Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat receive support. Library grants also see increases.
Digital Education
The program implements ‘Operation Digital Board’ in secondary schools. It increases digital technology use through smart classrooms and DTH channels. Infrastructure for UDISE+, Shagun, and ICT is strengthened.
School Strengthening
Schools receive better transport facilities for Classes I-VIII. School grants increase, and provisions for Swachh Vidyalaya (clean schools) are made. Overall infrastructure sees improvements.
Girl Education Initiatives
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) are upgraded to cover Classes 6-12. The scheme provides self-defence training. It also enhances support for the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign.
Inclusion Measures
RTE allocations for uniforms and textbooks, including energized textbooks, have increased. The scheme provides higher allocations for Children with Special Needs (CwSN). Girls with Special Needs in Classes 1-12 receive a monthly stipend.
Skill Development
Vocational skills are introduced starting from upper primary levels. The program offers integrated, practical, and industry-oriented vocational education for Classes 9-12.
Sports Education
Sports education is now an integral part of the curriculum. Schools receive equipment grants for sports activities.
Regional Balance
The scheme promotes balanced development. It prioritizes educationally backward blocks (EBBs), Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts, Special Focus Districts (SFDs), border areas, and Niti Aayog’s 117 aspirational districts.
New Educational Framework
Samagra Shiksha supports the new 5+3+3+4 pedagogical and curricular framework for school education. This structure covers 3 years in Anganwadi/pre-school and 12 years in school.
| Stage | Years | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Stage | 5 | Multilevel, play and activity-based learning |
| Preparatory Stage | 3 | Play, discovery, and interactive classroom learning |
| Middle Stage | 3 | Experiential learning in sciences, mathematics, arts, social sciences, humanities |
| Secondary Stage | 4 | Multidisciplinary study, critical thinking, flexibility, student choice of subjects |
For more details, visit the official Samagra Shiksha website atsamagra.education.gov.in.