Top education program is a failure

Bareilly, India, January 15 — The Indian government has launched a major project, "education for all" with a goal to provide basic elementary education to all children. The project known as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is a historic approach towards achieving the goal of Universalization of Elementary Education through a time bound approach. Sadly, funds have not reached schools and implementation of the program remains a serious problem.

SSA seeks to provide useful and quality elementary education to all children in the age group of 6-14 by 2010. It is a serious effort to improve the performance of the school system and provide community owned quality elementary education with the help of state authorities. It also seeks to bridge gender and social gaps.

SSA's implementation is the responsibility of the department of basic education, government of India and other states agencies. UNICEF and the World Bank, partners in the program, have not only funded the program but are entrusted to monitor and implement its activities.

The program not only looks at building the academic curriculum but also ensuring that primary school facilities are provided by state authorities. This includes checking the stability of existing school buildings, provisions for additional classrooms to accommodate more students, separate toilets for boys and girls etc.

SSA is also entrusted with funds to provide meals to children, free school bags, uniforms and books. However, these funds have been misused for fraudulent and corrupt activities. This will cause a negative effect on the education programs and related activities under the SSA project.

This is a serious and sensitive issue that needs to be urgently addressed by the government and other stakeholders in the best interests of children. The aim should be to provide the best education to children so that they become responsible citizens.