The transformation of India is seen in the field of education as well. 1990 was declared as the ‘International Year of Literacy.’ During this year Kerala became the first state in India to achieve a 100% literacy rate.
The government of India has started different innovative programmes to educate people:
(a) Primary Education:
- District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) was started in 1994 aiming at providing access to primary education to all.
- This programme was financially supported by the world bank and started in seven states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Haryana, and Assam.
- The main objective of this programme was to achieve 100% registration and attendance of children in primary schools and bringing down the number of drop-outs.
(b) Mid-day Meal (Shaley Poshan Ahar):
- A programme was implemented by the government on 15th August 1995, to provide mid-day meals to children in primary schools.
- If the facility to cook the food in schools was not available then food grains were distributed to each child to ensure his/her attendance in school.
(c) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan:
- This programme was launched in 2001. The motto of this programme was “Let’s all learn, Let’s all progress”.
- By the 86th Amendment in the Constitution of India, the right to free education was granted to children in the age group of 6-14.
- This programme was launched by combining the earlier programme of ‘Khadu-Phala Yojana’ and ‘Mid-day Meal’.
- The programme gives special attention to the education of girl children and children with special needs (Divyang).
