UP sees 33% increase in Samagra Shiksha grant, to spend Rs 11,500 cr on improving elementary education – Times of India

LUCKNOW: The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, UP saw an increase of 33% in the fund allocation for the academic year (2023-24) as against the previous one (2022-23) in the Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting. SSA is an integrated scheme and effort to universalize elementary education by community-ownership of the school system.
For the academic year 2023-23, SSA received a grant of Rs 12,744.4 crore. Out of total allocation, Rs 11,525.3 crore is allocated towards elementary education, Rs 996.27 crore is allocated towards secondary education and Rs 222.76 crore is allocated towards teacher education.
“The increased funding is a reflection of trust and confidence shown by the Union ministry of education in UP’s effort. UP’s innovations and successful execution of various initiatives and programs aimed at improving the quality of education, enhancing educational outcomes and usage of technology will intensify in the coming academic year.’ said a senior official.
The budget received for SSA will be utilized across various heads to undertake initiatives and programs aimed at improving the quality of education, said an official. Under the ‘Access and retention’ head, a total of Rs 824 crore has been sanctioned for civil works that includes strengthening of existing schools, repairs of dilapidated buildings, solar panel and electrification of schools, and construction of new schools.
Under the ‘Quality education’ head, a total of Rs 1,907 crore has been sanctioned as approved budget. This includes procuring 8,778 tablets for digital learning, setting up 22,000 smart classrooms, and 3,669 ICT labs. Besides, it also includes conducting assessment tests for measuring learning outcomes of children, providing library books and implementing learning by doing programmes.
Under ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education), a total of Rs 263 crore has been sanctioned as approved budget which will be utilized for teaching-learning material for children, outdoor play materials, and child-friendly furniture.
Under the ‘Sports and physical education’, a total of Rs 96 crores has been sanctioned as approved budget towards sports equipment and physical education in primary and upper primary students.
A grant of Rs 1776.5 crore has been sanctioned under ‘Gender and equity’ which includes construction of KGBVs, allocation of stipend for girls to be given directly to bank accounts through DBT, and self-defence training to girls.
Under secondary education, a total of Rs 996.27 crore has been sanctioned as approved budget. This includes 350 smart classes with fund allocation of Rs 8.4 crores, Rs 60.5 crore towards introduction of vocational education in schools.
In addition, Rs 222.7 crore has been allocated towards teacher education. This includes strengthening of physical infrastructure and capacity building of 4 lakh teachers of grade 1 to 5.
Under RTE entitlements, a total of Rs 1782.5 crores has been sanctioned as approved budget which will be utilized for providing free books and uniforms to students, the amount for which will be shared directly with parents by Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).