Universialization of Secondary Education

Universalization of Secondary Education (USE)

Meaning

Universalization of Secondary Education means making secondary education (Classes 9 to 12) accessible, affordable, and of good quality to all children aged 14–18 years, regardless of their background.

Aim

• Provide every child the right to complete secondary education.
• Ensure equal opportunity and quality learning for all.
• Prepare youth with skills for life and employment.

Key Objectives

• Equity: Remove barriers for girls, SC/ST, OBC, and differently-abled children.
• Access: Secondary schools should be within 5 km of every habitation.
• Retention: Reduce dropouts by offering support like scholarships and free education.
• Quality: Improve teaching methods, facilities, and student outcomes.

Quantitative Concerns (Numbers & Access)

• Low enrollment in Classes 9–12, especially among girls and marginalized groups.
• Shortage of secondary schools in rural and tribal areas.
• High dropout rates (around 16%).
• Poor student-teacher ratio and teacher shortages in subjects like Math and Science.

Example: In a tribal village in Odisha, students must walk 8 km to reach a secondary school. Many girls drop out due to safety and distance.

Qualitative Concerns (Quality & Experience)

• Untrained or underqualified teachers.
• Outdated curriculum not relevant to today’s world.
• Rote learning and poor understanding of basic concepts.
• Lack of labs, libraries, clean toilets, and digital tools.
• No support for inclusive education for disabled or special needs students.

Example: In many schools, students in Class 10 can’t solve basic math problems due to lack of conceptual teaching.

Target

• 100% enrollment and retention in secondary schools.
• Secondary school available within 5 km radius of every habitation.
• Teacher availability in all subjects.
• Gender parity and inclusion of all marginalized groups.

Status (Latest Updates)

• Gross Enrollment Ratio at secondary level is about 79.6% (as per UDISE+ 2021-22).
• Gender Parity Index close to 1.0 (equal boys and girls).
• Dropout rates still high in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, UP.
• Vocational trainers protested in Rajasthan due to delays in salary and job security.

Government Schemes

• Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Launched in 2009 to improve access and quality in secondary education.
• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: Integrates pre-primary to Class 12 education under one umbrella.
• Scholarships, free textbooks, transport and ICT-based learning support included.

Example: Under Samagra Shiksha, girls from SC/ST backgrounds get bicycles to attend secondary school safely.

Best Wishes for Exam – Abhay Sir