Cabinet nod to changes to elementary education scheme

The union cabinet Thursday approved changes in its flagship elementary education scheme which will benefit students from poor sections of society and the girl child.

The revisions to the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) at a meeting held here, an official release said.

The changes include revision in the recurring costs of the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) component of the SSA programme, discontinuation of the National Programme for Education for Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) and provision for reimbursement of expenditure towards 25 percent admissions to private unaided schools.

The revision of these norms would provide girls studying in KGBVS with good quality education along with nutritious food. Students from disadvantaged and economically weaker sections of society would also be able to pursue elementary education in private schools, the release said.

SSA is a major flagship programme of the government which is aimed at universalising elementary education in the country.