Education Policy of Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Introduction

The State of Chhattisgarh has developed and implemented a comprehensive education policy aimed at the holistic development of students' personalities.
The key aspects of this policy concerning the school education sector are as follows:

• Free and Compulsory Education: Every child aged 6 to 14 is entitled to free and mandatory education.
• Education for All: The policy ensures equal access to education for all, irrespective of community or gender.
• Uniform Primary Education: Emphasis is placed on standardizing primary education across the state.
• Community Games Development: Initiatives to promote community sports and games within schools.
• Universal Education Access: Efforts are made to ensure that all segments of society have access to education.
• Ashram Schools Construction: Building schools in areas where laborers and workers reside.
• Mid-day Meal and Nutrition Programs: Enhancing the implementation of meal and nutrition schemes for students.
• Student Enrollment: Ensuring maximum student enrollment in schools.
• Parental Awareness: Spreading awareness among parents about the importance of education.

Education Vision 2022 of Chhattisgarh State

• Education is a crucial input for both societal growth and individual development. When properly planned, educational initiatives can lead to increased Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), enhance cultural richness, foster positive attitudes towards technology, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of governance.
• Chhattisgarh currently has a literacy rate of 64.7%, ranking 23rd among Indian states. To realize the state's vision for 2022, Chhattisgarh should strive for 100% literacy and eliminate dropout rates.
• A key strategy would be to ensure that elementary and primary education is both affordable and accessible. With 35,764 primary schools currently operating in the state, this number needs to be increased to achieve full enrollment.
• The following strategies could be implemented:
  • Allocate substantial funds to enhance educational infrastructure and ensure accessibility for all.
  • Encourage the expansion of village schools and alternative primary education modes, such as Non-Formal Education (NFE), where children can receive basic education without attending traditional schools.
  • Increase efforts to provide pre-primary and early childhood education, an essential part of school education, supported by public funds.
  • Place greater emphasis on educating girls through various educational initiatives in collaboration with NGOs, television advertisements, and direct engagement with Village Panchayats.
  • Enhance distance learning programs using Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
  • Ensure the proper appointment of sufficient teaching staff and provide more rigorous and relevant teacher training programs.
  • The Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education should revisit and revise its syllabus to align with the current needs of the knowledge society and prepare students for the global economy.
  • Promote adult education through both day and night schools.
  • Establish quality higher education and technical institutions in all major districts with the support of the private sector, offering vocational and technical courses that enhance students' employability even at the high school level.
  • Redesign the education system to instill the values of social living in students.
  • Continuously promote industry-institute linkages for the benefit of students.
• The future focus of the education system should be on empowering individuals, ensuring a high quality of life, and creating a learning society.

Various Educational Schemes in the State

• Establishment of Madarasa Board: The Madarasa Board has been established to enhance and popularize Urdu learning. Alongside religious education, the institution is involved in school teaching and receives a one-time grant in recognition of its efforts.
• Establishment of Sanskrit Board: The Sanskrit Board has been set up to promote and improve Sanskrit education. The Board is responsible for advancing Sanskrit learning and is provided with grants for infrastructure and recurring expenses.
• Chhattisgarhi Bhasha Parishad: The Chhattisgarh Academy has been established to support the development of the Chhattisgarhi dialect and receives grants for this purpose.
• Award for Teachers: Teachers who demonstrate exceptional ability in the field of education are recognized and awarded. One teacher from each district is selected and honored.
• Formation of Typing Board: The Typing Board in the state conducts examinations in Hindi and English typing, as well as shorthand in both languages.
• National Fitness Core: The School Education department focuses on the physical fitness of students, providing gymnasium facilities within school campuses.
• European Commission Partnership: The Government of Chhattisgarh, in partnership with the European Commission (EC) under the SPP program, supports ongoing and some new schemes for primary and higher secondary education.
• Child Education Centre: The state has established 757 child education centers, where approximately 9,500 children are engaged in learning.
• Primary Education: The state government prioritizes the development of education, with primary education forming the foundation of the educational system. Significant emphasis is placed on enrollment and retention of children in primary education, aiming for 100% retention by 2012. Annual enrollment drives are conducted, and funds are allocated in the tenth five-year plan and annual plans for improving education infrastructure, and for salaries and allowances to achieve universal access to primary education.
• Grant for Community Participation in Schools: The state values community involvement in primary education. A total of 178 primary schools and 57 middle schools are run by Education Committees, with the costs covered by the government.
• Supply of Free Textbooks in Primary Schools: The program of providing free textbooks to students in classes I to VII has continued from the tenth plan. This initiative aims to encourage enrollment and retention of students.
• Uniforms for Girl Students:
• To reduce dropout rates among girl children and increase their enrollment, especially among SC/ST/OBC communities, free uniforms are provided to girls in classes I to V.
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA):
  • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a centrally sponsored scheme, is implemented by the Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission in Chhattisgarh. Funds for SSA are provided directly by the Centre and the State.
    The objectives of SSA include:
    • Ensuring access to education for all children aged 6-14.
    • Achieving enrollment and retention of all children up to class VIII.
    • Eliminating gender, social, and regional disparities in access to primary education by 2007 and upper primary education by 2010.
    • Achieving universal retention by 2010.
  • The scheme has been in place since 2002-03. The Centre's contribution adds to the state's resources, while the State's contribution is already included in its school education expenditure. These funds have been used to open new primary and upper primary schools, recruit teachers, and construct classrooms and schools.