Equality in Education: How India is Building Inclusive Schools for All

At Sugarbox, we are staunch advocates for a more inclusive educational landscape and it is heartening to see the Indian government's unwavering commitment to gender equality in education.

Under the able guidance of the Department of School Education and Literacy, the Samagra Shiksha initiative has been a driving force since the academic year 2018-19. During a recent session in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Education, Annpurna Devi, underscored the importance of this initiative in promoting equitable education for every child from pre-school to class 12.

Samagra Shiksha's primary focus is to bridge gender and social gaps in school education. Tailored to empower girls and children from marginalized groups, the scheme offers a wide range of interventions, including neighborhood schools for enhanced accessibility, free uniforms and textbooks up to Class VIII, additional teachers and housing facilities in remote areas, stipends for children with special needs (CWSN) girls, gender-sensitive teaching materials, and self-defence training.

Recognized as an integrated centrally sponsored scheme for school education, Samagra Shiksha has undergone restructuring in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, emphasizing the importance of fostering an equitable classroom environment.

Here are key highlights from the scheme:

• Supporting states in implementing the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
• Focusing on early childhood care and education.
• Prioritizing foundational literacy and numeracy.
• Providing quality education to enhance learning outcomes.

A pivotal objective of Samagra Shiksha is the strengthening of teacher training programs. Considerable efforts are directed towards enhancing and upgrading State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs)/State Institutes of Education and District Institutes of Educational Training (DIET) as nodal agencies for teacher training. Financial assistance is extended to all states and union territories to fortify these institutions, with particular attention to integrating comprehensive training structures.

In-service teacher and teacher educators training are integral components of this initiative, building upon the foundations laid by prior programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE). The allocation of financial provisions for in-service teacher training, including the training of master trainers and teacher educators, remains a significant focus.

The Indian government's commitment to promoting gender equality in education remains unwavering. By prioritizing gender equality, we are working towards a future where education knows no gender boundaries, creating an equitable and empowering educational landscape for every child in our great nation.