Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan gives boost to education in rural Punjab

In Punjabs rural areas, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is contributing to improve capabilities in children via community-owned quality education.In a response to a demand for quality basic education, the SSA was started by the Government.There is also another goal to bridge the social, regional and gender gaps with the active participation of the community in the management of schools, said Davinder Kumar, a teacher.

By Ravinder Singh Robin

Phalah Pind, Ajnala (Punjab), Sept. 11 : In Punjab's rural areas, the "Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan" (SSA) is contributing to improve capabilities in children via community-owned quality education.In a response to a demand for quality basic education, the SSA was started by the Government."There is also another goal to bridge the social, regional and gender gaps with the active participation of the community in the management of schools," said Davinder Kumar, a teacher.

Besides helping poor children to get an education, the SSA also provides financial assistance for their daily meals, books, school bags, school fees and for building classrooms in the schools.

Education for girls, especially those belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the minorities, is a principal concern of the SSA.

Aman Deep Kaur, a resident of Phalah Pind said: "I could have been deprived from the education if this system was not introduced in our village".

There are nearly 20,300 schools in Punjab where children are being provided free education under the SSA.

The aim of the SSA is to provide elementary education to all children in the three to six age group, and in the six to fourteen age group by 2010.

ANI