MP school results improved remarkably: govt

Bhopal, Mar 21 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister Narottam Mishra today claimed in the Assembly that the high school and higher secondary examination results had improved from 29 per cent to last year's figure of 50 per cent.

''The teachers' selection process has been bettered as meritorious ones or those who secured first-class were employed.

Besides setting up of high and higher secondary schools next year, girls' education will be a special focus area,'' said Mr Mishra -- who also holds the Law, Legislative Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs portfolios -- while replying to the debate on budgetary demands for his departments.

Three years back there were six lakh children who had never been to school but that situation was addressed by the ''hugely successful'' 'Go to School' campaign under which 2.01 lakh kids were enrolled in 2006-07. Bridge courses and other efforts were underway to enrol 72,000 children. The government would give importance to ''Yog shiksha'' instead of ''yon shiksha'' (sex education) in curricula.

''Curricula will be modified so that students learn of great lives, geography and heritage. In 2006-07, 322 primary schools were upgraded to secondary schools, 174 high schools and 50 higher secondary schools were opened. In 2007-08, 100 middle schools will be upgraded to high schools,'' the Minister explained.

Infant education centres have been set up alongside 15,375 schools. Girls' hostel facilities were made in 250 secondary schools, 105 Kasturba Gandhi girls' schools are being run and 80 will be set up next year. Against a target of 78,000, 83,695 girls were gifted cycles in 2006-07 and next year's target is in the range of 90,000.

''In view of the popularity of the scheme, which is for the secondary level, the government has decided to implement it at the middle school-level as well. Free textbooks were distributed to 1,12,000 children in 2006-07. A sum of Rs 15,39,00,000 was earmarked under this head for 2007-08,'' Mr Mishra added.

Lok adalats were the medium for disposal of 1,77,955 cases this year.

Demands exceeding Rs 2,578 crore were passed.

UNI