States to have more flexibility in implementing SSA

New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNI) States will have greater financial flexibility in the implementation of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme, with the government introducing a revised funding pattern for the 11th Plan.

The revised funding pattern between the Central government and States and Union Territories shall be in the ratio of 65:35 for the first two years of the 11th Plan, that is 2007-08 and 2008-09; 60:40 for the third year, that is 2009-10; 55:45 for the fourth year, that is 2010-11; and 50:50 thereafter, that is from 2011-12 onwards.

For the eight NorthEastern states, the fund sharing pattern between Centre and States shall be 90:10 under the programme with the Centre's share resourced from the ten per cent earmarked funds for the NE Region in the SSA's Central Budget.

These states are Assam, Arunachal, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

The above funding pattern shall become effective from April 1 this year.

The SSA is a flagship programme of the Centre for universalisation of elementary education in a time bound manner.

Universal and free education to children of 6-14 years of age (estimated to be 205 million in number in 2001)has been mandated by the 86th amendment to the Constitution.. The programme aims to achieve the objective by 2010.

Under SSA, new schools will be opened in those areas which do not have schooling facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grants.

SSA aims at providing quality elementary education including life skills. The programme has a special focus on girls education and children with special needs.

UNI