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FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF RASHTRIYA MADHYAMIK SHIKSHA ABHIYAN
A SCHEME FOR UNIVERSALISATION OF ACCESS IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY AT THE SECONDARY STAGE Chapter - I 1.1. INTRODUCTION TO AND
1.1.1. Secondary Education is a crucial stage in the educational hierarchy as it prepares the students for higher education and also for the world of work. Classes IX and X constitute the secondary stage, whereas classes XI and XII are designated as the higher secondary stage. The normal age group of the children in secondary classes is 14-16 whereas it is 16-18 for higher secondary classes. The rigor of the secondary and higher secondary stage, enables Indian students to compete successfully for education and for jobs globally. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to strengthen this stage by providing greater access and also by improving quality in a significant way. 1.1.2. The population of the age group 14-18 was 8.55 crore in 2001 as per census data. The estimated population of this age group as on 1.3.2005 was 9.48 crore, which is likely to increase to 9.69 crore as on 1.3.2007 i.e., at the beginning of the 11th Five Year Plan. This is likely to stabilize at around 9.70 crore in 2011. The Gross Enrolment Ratio for classes IX-XII in 2005-06 was 40.49%. The figure for classes IX and X was 52.26 % whereas that for classes XI and XII was 28.54%. 1.1.3. With the liberalization and globalization of the Indian economy, the rapid changes witnessed in scientific and technological world and the general need to improve the quality of life and to reduce poverty, it is essential that school leavers acquire a higher level of knowledge and skills than what they are provided in the 8 years of elementary education, particularly when the average earning of a secondary school certificate holder is significantly higher than that of a person who has studied only up to class VIII. It is also necessary that besides general education up to secondary level, opportunities for improvement of
A SCHEME FOR UNIVERSALISATION OF ACCESS IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY AT THE SECONDARY STAGE Chapter - I 1.1. INTRODUCTION TO AND
1.1.1. Secondary Education is a crucial stage in the educational hierarchy as it prepares the students for higher education and also for the world of work. Classes IX and X constitute the secondary stage, whereas classes XI and XII are designated as the higher secondary stage. The normal age group of the children in secondary classes is 14-16 whereas it is 16-18 for higher secondary classes. The rigor of the secondary and higher secondary stage, enables Indian students to compete successfully for education and for jobs globally. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to strengthen this stage by providing greater access and also by improving quality in a significant way. 1.1.2. The population of the age group 14-18 was 8.55 crore in 2001 as per census data. The estimated population of this age group as on 1.3.2005 was 9.48 crore, which is likely to increase to 9.69 crore as on 1.3.2007 i.e., at the beginning of the 11th Five Year Plan. This is likely to stabilize at around 9.70 crore in 2011. The Gross Enrolment Ratio for classes IX-XII in 2005-06 was 40.49%. The figure for classes IX and X was 52.26 % whereas that for classes XI and XII was 28.54%. 1.1.3. With the liberalization and globalization of the Indian economy, the rapid changes witnessed in scientific and technological world and the general need to improve the quality of life and to reduce poverty, it is essential that school leavers acquire a higher level of knowledge and skills than what they are provided in the 8 years of elementary education, particularly when the average earning of a secondary school certificate holder is significantly higher than that of a person who has studied only up to class VIII. It is also necessary that besides general education up to secondary level, opportunities for improvement of