Arjun Singh calls for hard assessment of primary education

Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has said it is high time to make a hard assessment of the primary education in the country.

New Delhi, July 17 : Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has said it is high time to make a hard assessment of the primary education in the country.

"This is the last year when we can do something about it and we should have a pragmatic plan after taking into consideration our experience and the suggestions of the members," he said in response to the suggestions offered by members of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry, yesterday.

He called for taking proper stock of things, saying, "We still have four to five months to go when 11th Plan will be operationalised."

According to the Ministry, the number of drop-out rate of primary school children in the age group 6-11 years has decreased from 39 per cent (2001) to 29 per cent (2004). Girls' enrolment has increased from 43.7 per cent (2001) to 46.7 per cent (2004) in the age group 6-11 at primary level, and gender gap has reduced from 19 to 6 per cent point in the same period.

The Ministry further informed that pupil teacher ratio has improved to 1:41 (2005) at primary level, and many states are in the process of recruiting teachers against the sanctioned posts.

The Mid-day Meal programme reaches out to 10 crore children at the primary stage. The Committee was informed that as per the revised scheme (2006), the cooking cost for conversion of raw grain into a hot cooked meal has been enhanced to two rupees per child per school day. In the case of North Eastern states, Central assistance is provided at Rs. 1.8 per child per school day, while for other states, Central assistance of Rs. 1.50 per child is provided.

The Ministry has also provided funds for construction of 2.21 lakh kitchen sheds as well as procurement of kitchen devices for 5.20 lakh schools. It has prescribed a comprehensive and elaborate mechanism for monitoring and supervision of the Mid-day Meal scheme, which includes suo moto declaration of information under the Right to Information Act.

ANI