Universalisation of Elementary Education in India

Elementary education constitutes avery important part of entire structure of education system. Universal isation of elementary education has been one of the most important goals of educat ional development in India since independence. Article 45 of the Indian constitution directed states to Endeavour to provide within a period of 10 years from the commencement of the constitution (1950) free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 year s. This resolved to be fulfilled by 1960. Inspite of concerted efforts by the centre as wel l as state government s in promoting elementary education, the target of Universalisation of elementary educat ion has not been achieved till date. The parliament has passed the constitution 86t h amendment Ac t , 2002 to make elementary education a Fundamental Right for children in the age group of 6-14 years. Anothe r development is Supreme Court judgment which interpreting the constitutional provision declared basic education as a fundamental right of every citizen requi ring the state to mak e necessary provisions as a basic obligation. This was followed by a f ramework of partner ship between the centre and the state government s on a massive scale through a number of centrally sponsored scheme s such as District Primary Education Programme, Lok Jumbish Project , Mid Day Meal Scheme Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Education Guarante e Scheme, Alternative and Innovative Education, Shiksha Karmi Project , Janshala Programmeetc. All the seprogrammes aims at Universalisation and qualitative improvement of primary education in remote and socio economically backward areas by increasing enrolment , at tendance and retention and also improving nutritional status of children in primary classes. There are some problems of elementary education such as out of school children, working children, or child labourers, parents ignorance family’s poor financial conditions, attitude of parents towards girl’s education, distance of the school from the place of residence, lack of provision of basic infrastructure and lack of women teachers in the school is another problem (1)To bring out of school children in the fold of elementary education child wise planning should be undertaken (2)Child labour should be minimized, (3)Fund for primary education should be increased (4) Part - time and al ternate schools should be opened in large numbers Nevertheless, unless ef forts to attract the children to schools and to retain them in school s by making both parents and children feel that school s are worthwhile , the success of elementary education may remain a distant dream in country’s developmental programmes