In a significant development, the Union education ministry has withheld funds for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) from several states, including Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal, due to their refusal to comply with the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme.
The dispute centers around the PM-SHRI scheme, which aims to transform at least 14,500 government schools into 'exemplar' institutions to demonstrate the implementation of the NEP 2020. The scheme includes several contentious provisions, such as the three-language formula and the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, which have been met with resistance from the aforementioned states.
Tamil Nadu's Stand
Tamil Nadu, in particular, has been adamant in its opposition to the NEP's three-language formula, a policy it has historically opposed. The state has been following a two-language formula for over five decades and has expressed concerns that the new policy infringes upon its constitutional autonomy in education. As a result, the Union education ministry has withheld the first instalment of Rs 573 crore under SSA, which was due in June 2024.
The withholding of funds has significant implications for the state's education sector. Approximately 15,000 teachers, including block resource teacher educators, part-time teachers, and special teachers, may not receive their salaries. Additionally, the reimbursement of fees for students under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, transport facilities for children in remote areas, teachers' training, and self-defence training for girls in classes VI to XII are also likely to be affected.
Impact on Other States
Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal are also facing similar issues due to their refusal to participate in the PM-SHRI scheme. These states have declined to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) required for the implementation of PM-SHRI schools. Consequently, the Union Ministry of Education has halted the release of SSA funds to these states as well. Delhi is expecting around Rs 330 crore, Punjab around Rs 515 crore, and West Bengal over Rs 1,000 crore for various quarters, which remain pending.
In Delhi, the delay in SSA funds has affected the salaries of around 2,400 teachers working in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) primary schools and 700 staff members working on the Samagra Shiksha initiative. The funds are also crucial for providing textbooks, clothing, and support to differently abled children.
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: An Overview
The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is a centrally-sponsored scheme launched by the Ministry of Education in 2018, aiming to deliver inclusive, equitable, and affordable school education from pre-school to Class 12. It subsumes the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE) schemes. The scheme includes components for teacher training, special education, digital education, school infrastructure, and vocational education, among others, with a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and the states.
The ongoing standoff between the Centre and the states over the implementation of the NEP and PM-SHRI scheme has raised concerns among education experts. Former NCERT director Krishna Kumar has criticized the Centre's move, stating that SSA is a critical welfare scheme for children's education and should not be treated in such a manner.
The issue highlights the broader debate on the balance between central and state autonomy in education policy, with states arguing that the Centre's conditions infringe upon their constitutional rights. For more information on the National Education Policy 2020, and its implications, one can delve into the policy's detailed framework and its reception across various states.
