In a dynamic world where knowledge and skills are keys to success, education reform is crucial for nation-building. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive and unified education system, the Government of India launched the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in 2018. This integrated scheme merged three major educational initiatives—Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE)—into a single umbrella program. The objective was to ensure the holistic development of school education from pre-school to Class 12.
Vision and Objectives
The word ‘Samagra’ means holistic, and the program aims to treat school education as a continuum. The primary objectives are:
- Provide equitable access to quality education at all levels.
- Bridge the gender and social category gaps in education.
- Promote inclusive education for children with special needs (CWSN).
- Improve the quality of teaching and learning across all grades.
- Strengthen teacher education and school leadership.
By unifying the fragmented efforts of earlier schemes, Samagra Shiksha ensures better planning, monitoring, and implementation.
Key Features of Samagra Shiksha
- Integrated Education from Pre-primary to Class 12:
- A seamless learning experience across early childhood, elementary, and secondary stages.
- Focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) under the NIPUN Bharat Mission.
- Improved Infrastructure:
- Construction of classrooms, laboratories, libraries, toilets, and smart classrooms.
- Priority given to schools in educationally backward blocks, tribal, and hilly areas.
- Digital and ICT Integration:
- Promotion of e-learning platforms, smart classrooms, and digital content development.
- Use of ICT tools for student assessments and teacher training.
- Focus on Quality and Learning Outcomes:
- Introduction of learning outcome-based curricula.
- Regular assessments through tools like NAS (National Achievement Survey).
- Initiatives like the Performance Grading Index (PGI) are used to track progress.
- Support for Girl Education:
- Continued emphasis on Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.
- Enhancement of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) for girls from marginalized communities.
- Inclusive Education:
- Provisions for Children With Special Needs (CWSN) include assistive devices, home-based education, and inclusive classrooms.
- Teacher Training and Capacity Building:
- Continuous professional development through NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement).
- Use of the DIKSHA platform for online teacher training and resource sharing.
Funding and Governance Structure
Samagra Shiksha is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with the funding pattern shared between the central and state governments. The planning and implementation follow a bottom-up approach, where:
- District-level plans feed into state and national planning.
- State Project Directors are key to coordinating the program.
- Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWP&B) are developed and monitored rigorously.
Achievements of Samagra Shiksha
- Increased Enrollment:
- The unified schooling system reduced transitions and dropouts between primary, upper primary, and secondary levels.
- Digital Transformation:
- More schools adopted smart teaching methods, and digital learning expanded during COVID-19.
- Boost to Early Childhood Education (ECE):
- ECE is now integrated into formal schooling through Balvatikas (pre-school sections).
- Improved Teacher Training:
- Lakhs of teachers trained under NISHTHA and DIKSHA programs, enhancing classroom delivery and student engagement.
- Support to Marginalized Groups:
- Girls, SC/ST, and minority students benefited through scholarships, free uniforms, and residential schools.
Challenges and Limitations
While the program has achieved much, challenges remain:
- Infrastructural disparities between urban and rural areas.
- Learning losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and insufficient digital access.
- Teacher vacancies and uneven training outcomes.
- Limited community engagement in school management in some areas.
- Monitoring and data quality issues in large-scale implementation.
Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Samagra Shiksha has been realigned with the goals of NEP 2020, which envisions an inclusive, equitable, and learner-centered education system. Key NEP-aligned additions include:
- Emphasis on foundational learning (3–8 years)
- Support for mother tongue-based education
- Flexibility in curriculum and holistic report cards
- Vocational training and experiential learning
- Promotion of school complexes/clusters for resource optimization