International Journal of Education and Management Studies

Kavita Suri ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu, J&K, IN

Abstract

Jammu and Kashmir, one of the border states of India, is considered an educationally backward state. The literacy rate of Jammu and Kashmir is 68.74% as per Census 2011 which is low in comparison to the national literacy rate. The state has implemented Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA), a comprehensive and integrated flagship programme of Government of India to attain Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) covering the entire country in a mission mode, since the year 2002-2003. The scheme which targets all children in the age-group 6-14 years lays emphasis on bridging all gender and social category gaps at elementary education level with time bound objectives. The present paper aims to study of SSA in Jammu and Kashmir and understand its contribution to elementary education in J&K. The paper would also explore the efforts made for univeralization of elementary education by the Jammu and Kashmir government under SSAbesides suggesting a few strategies to improve elementary education in the state.

Keywords

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Jammu & Kashmir, Elementary Education, Npegel

Full Text

     

Kavita Suri ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Lifelong Learning (Formerly, Centre for Adult, Continuing Education & Extension) University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, IN

Abstract

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) is a flagship national programme of the Government of India for the Universalisation of elementary education between 6-14 years of age groups. This programme is not only a response of the government to the demand for quality basic education all over the country but it is an opportunity for promoting social justice through basic education as well. The entire scheme which is being implemented throughout the country has different components viz. gender, access, quality education, community mobilization, Teaching-Learning Material (TLM), Computer-Aided Learning (CAL) etc. An important component of SSA is the Distance Education Programme (DEP) which is popularly known as DEP-SSA. It provides need-based support to state SSA functionaries through technology mediated learning. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the apex institution in the field of Open Distance Learning (ODL) has been entrusted with the responsibility to implement distance learning interventions across the country to meet the training and learning needs of states at elementary level. The present paper explores the need for DEP-SSA programme in J&K. The education sector in J&K which was hit badly by the 24-year long violence has poor quality teachers which adversely affect the students. The untrained Rehber-e-Taleem (Educational Guide) who are initially appointed under a state government scheme as teachers, do not have adequate training and there number is significant. Thus, our State has a sizeable group of untrained teachers, like many other states of the country. According to rough figures, about twenty thousand teachers are without any professional training and the number is increasing by the day. The MHRD has expressed concern over the ever increasing number of teachers not having professional training and its adverse impact on the teaching-learning activities. The paper would focus on Distance Education and Teacher education in J&K State and how it can help in achieving quality education by organizing teachers training and capacity enhancement programmes to up-grade the level of teachers besides reorientation courses regularly.

Keywords

Kashmir, Distance Education Programme, Quality Education, SSA

Full Text

     

Kavita Suri ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, IN

Abstract

Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost border state of India has reached approximately 1.25 Crore population (Census, 2011) which is an increase of 23.71 percent from the past decade. The sharp increase in population growth and decline in mortality rate has increased pressure on the educational system by way of increasing the demand for access to education. The state which has a literacy rate of 68.74 % has been grappling with many problems including poverty, lack of resources for maintaining the huge educational infrastructure and the continued violence which has hit the education sector badly since past 20 years. Special and inclusive education is in practice in J&K as it is in the other states of the country. But the State Government has not been able to do much for special children in the state. The present paper would try to focus on the Status, Challenges, Responses and Prospectus with regard to Jammu and Kashmir. It would also explore issues like bias against children with special needs, insufficiency of funding, no access to expertise and public services and the parental biases towards children at special needs.

Keywords

Kashmir, Conflict, Special Education, Intellectual Impairment, Community Mobilization

Full Text