Teacher-Related Provisions under Samagra Shiksha (2024)

Samagra Shiksha, the Government of India’s flagship program for universalizing school education, integrates three erstwhile schemes (SSA, RMSA, and Teacher Education) and provides a holistic approach to education from pre-primary to senior secondary levels. The program emphasizes teacher-related parameters, infrastructure development, and support for underserved schools and was launched in 2018. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was launched in 2000-01, and the Rashtriya Madhyamic Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) in  2007.

Provisions for Teachers under Samagra Shiksha: Advancing Quality Education

The Samagra Shiksha scheme, a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Education in India, incorporates comprehensive provisions to support and empower teachers, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The following summarises key elements of its teacher-centric approach:

  1. In-Service Teacher Training

Regular in-service training programs are implemented to enhance teachers’ professional skills. These programs emphasize innovative pedagogy, foundational literacy, numeracy, and effective use of digital tools to achieve NEP 2020 goals.

  1. Recruitment and Deployment

The scheme assists states in recruiting teachers, ensuring adherence to Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) norms. Special incentives are introduced to attract and retain teachers in remote, tribal, and hard-to-reach areas.

  1. Focus on Teacher Education

Samagra Shiksha emphasizes strengthening teacher education by upgrading existing District Institutes of Education and Training & Block Resource Centres (BRCs). It also promotes the improvement of Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET) and certifications to ensure the quality of the teaching workforce.

  1. Digital Empowerment

The initiative facilitates the digital empowerment of teachers through the provision of ICT infrastructure and training on using digital resources like DIKSHA and e-Pathshala. This integration of technology fosters a modernized learning environment in classrooms.

  1. Grants and Financial Support

The scheme offers financial aid through composite school grants, which include provisions for teacher resources, teaching aids, and library books. Additional support for sports equipment and laboratory materials is extended to enrich teaching-learning.

Samagra Shiksha strengthens the teaching workforce through these multidimensional interventions, ensuring improved education delivery and fostering a learner-centric approach. These measures collectively advance India’s goal of equitable, inclusive, and quality education.

Teacher-Related Challenges in Single-Teacher and Small Schools

  1. Number and Percentage of Single-Teacher Schools

  • India has over 1.1 lakh single-teacher schools, constituting 7.15 percent of total schools (UDISE+ 2021-22).
  • States like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have the highest single-teacher schools.

  1. Challenges Faced by Single-Teacher and Small Schools

Aspect Challenges
Administrative Work Teachers handle multiple responsibilities, such as filling UDISE+, SDMIS, APAAR, and PEN data, leaving limited time for teaching.
Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Managing MDM logistics, food distribution, and compliance reporting disrupts teaching schedules.
Low Enrolment Low student strength limits access to resources and often makes the school ineligible for grants.
Infrastructure Gaps Many schools lack computers, internet, or electricity, making data entry and digital integration difficult.
Pedagogical Quality Multi-grade teaching in single-teacher schools affects student engagement and learning outcomes.

3. Infrastructure Gaps in Indian Schools: 2021-22 Overview

India’s school infrastructure faces significant challenges, as highlighted in the 2021-22 data. While the national averages showcase progress, disparities persist, particularly in small and remote schools.

Data Highlighting Infrastructure Gaps in Schools in India: 2021-22

Parameter National Average (%) Challenges in Small/Remote Schools
Schools with Electricity 86.58% Frequent power outages hinder the use of digital tools and computers.
Schools with Computers 45.84% Insufficient ICT resources impede administrative tasks and digital learning.
Schools with Internet Access 33.91% Poor internet connectivity limits access to online learning platforms, especially in rural regions.

Key Takeaways

  1. Electricity: While many schools have electricity, the unreliability in rural areas diminishes its impact on modern education.
  2. ICT Access: A significant computer availability gap affects teaching and administrative efficiency.
  3. Internet Connectivity: Limited internet access in rural schools highlights the digital divide, hampering technology integration in education.

Addressing these infrastructure gaps is crucial to achieving equitable and inclusive education across all regions of the country.

Policy Recommendations for Addressing Challenges in Indian School Education

To meet the challenges faced by small schools and schools located in remote areas, a set of strategic policy interventions is recommended. These measures aim to enhance teaching effectiveness, infrastructure, and administrative efficiency while optimizing resources.

  1. Strengthening Multi-Grade Teaching Support

  • Specialized training programs should be provided to teachers in single-teacher schools to manage multi-grade classrooms efficiently.
  • Deploying teaching assistants or para-teachers can alleviate workload and improve classroom outcomes.

  1. Infrastructure Upgrades

  • Establishing ICT labs and ensuring reliable electricity supply in small schools will enhance digital education.
  • Expanding internet connectivity through initiatives like BharatNet will bridge the digital divide in rural areas.

  1. Administrative Simplification

  • Streamlining data reporting by integrating platforms like UDISE+, PEN, SDMIS, and APAAR into a unified, mobile-accessible portal will reduce administrative burdens on schools.

  1. Support for Low-Enrolment Schools

  • Consolidating small schools located within accessible distances can optimize infrastructure and teaching resources.
  • Mobile teaching units should be introduced to reach students in sparsely populated or remote areas, ensuring continuity in learning.

By addressing these key areas, policymakers can significantly improve the quality of education in small and remote schools. These reforms will support equitable access to education while fostering efficiency and resource optimization in India’s school system.

Concluding Observations

Samagra Shiksha has created a robust framework for improving teacher quality and addressing educational disparities. However, single-teacher and small schools face significant challenges, including infrastructure gaps, administrative burdens, and multi-grade teaching complexities. Targeted interventions such as better deployment, simplified processes, and infrastructure upgrades are essential to ensuring that every child receives quality education, as envisioned in NEP 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Teachers in Samagra Shiksha

Q1: What is Samagra Shiksha?

A: Samagra Shiksha is a flagship program by the Government of India launched in 2018 that integrates three previous schemes (SSA, RMSA, and Teacher Education) to provide a holistic approach to education from pre-primary to senior secondary levels.

Q2: What are the key provisions for teachers under Samagra Shiksha?

A: The key provisions include:

  • Regular in-service teacher training
  • Assistance in teacher recruitment
  • Focus on teacher education
  • Digital empowerment of teachers
  • Financial support through grants for teaching resources

Q3: How many single-teacher schools exist in India?

A: According to UDISE+ 2021-22 data, India has over 1.1 lakh single-teacher schools, constituting 7.15 percent of total schools.

Q4: Which states have the highest number of single-teacher schools?

A: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have the highest single-teacher schools.

Q5: What are the challenges faced by single-teacher schools?

A: The primary challenges include:

  • Handling multiple administrative responsibilities
  • Managing Mid-Day Meal logistics
  • Dealing with low student enrollment
  • Infrastructure gaps
  • Managing multi-grade teaching

Q6: What is the national average for school infrastructure in 2021-22?

A: According to the data:

  • 86.58% of schools have electricity
  • 45.84% of schools have computers
  • 33.91% of schools have internet access

Q7: How does Samagra Shiksha support the digital empowerment of teachers?

A: The initiative supports digital empowerment by:

  • Providing ICT infrastructure
  • Training teachers on digital resources like DIKSHA and e-Pathshala
  • Fostering a modernized learning environment in classrooms

Q8: What policy recommendations are suggested to address challenges in small schools?

A: The recommended policies include:

  • Providing specialized training for multi-grade teaching
  • Upgrading infrastructure and ICT facilities
  • Simplifying administrative processes
  • Supporting low-enrollment schools through consolidation or mobile teaching units

Q9: How does Samagra Shiksha align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?

A: The scheme aligns with NEP 2020 by:

  • Emphasizing innovative pedagogy
  • Focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy
  • Promoting digital tool usage
  • Ensuring equitable and inclusive education

Q10: What financial support do schools receive under Samagra Shiksha?

A: Schools receive composite school grants that cover:

  • Teacher resources
  • Teaching aids
  • Library books
  • Sports equipment
  • Laboratory materials

Education for All in India