Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM reviews Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

The Prime Minister reviewed the two flagship programmes, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meals, of the UPA Government. The meeting was attended by HRD Minister, Mr. Arjun Singh, Minister of State (PMO), Mr. Prithiviraj Chavan, and senior offcials of the PMO, HRD and the Planning Commission.

It was noted that the number of out of school children has been reduced from 2.5 crores to 96 lakhs over the last two years. However, the Prime Minister expressed concern at pockets, across the country, where the number of out of school children continues to be high. He emphasised the need for providing joyful and quality learning, especially to the frist generation school goers. In the context of the National Curriculum Framework - 2005, the Prime Minister laid emphasis on the need to improve the quality of Science and Mathematics teaching. He expressed concern over delays in teacher recruitment, absenteeism and deployment.

The Prime Minister desired that best parctices in the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meal programmes be shared across the sattes and the programmes be reviewed in the forthcoming meeting of the NDC to bring about synergy and national concensus on programme priorities.