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The Government of India has now launched a new initiative under EGS&AIE, which replaces the old NFE scheme. The new scheme is based on the review of NFE and also incorporates a number of lessons learnt from the implementation of alternative education programs under the DPEP. It is hoped that EGS & AIE will provide quality educational opportunities with the help of diverse strategies and approached to the millions of children who even today remain out of school for various reasons. It is expected that this scheme would give a fresh impetus to the non-formal education sector in the country and assist in achieving the country's overall goal of Universal Elementary Education. Salient features of the EGS&AIE scheme v
The EGS & AIE would continue to have three components as in the earlier NFE scheme, viz. (i) state-run/EGS schools or a variety of alternate schools/Back to school camps run by the state government (ii) learning centers or alternate schools run by Voluntary Agencies (VAs) (iii) experimental projects for innovative pedagogical strategies and DRUs run by VAs. v
The EGS & AIE would form a part of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). During the 10th Five Year Plan, the EGS & AIE would be merged with the SSA programme and would cease to exist as a separate scheme. v
Preference would continue to be given to the ten educationally backward states (Assam, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) as identified by NFE. The EGS component viz. the setting up of alternative schools in small, unserved habitations would, however, cover the entire country. Alternative education interventions for specific categories of very deprived children e.g. child labour, street children, migrating children and elder children (in the 9+ age group, especially adolescent girls) would be supported under EGS & AIE in the non-educationally backward states also. v
Funds for EGS & AIE would be shared on a 75:25 basis between the central and state governments for all state run centers/bridge courses etc. The VAs would receive 100 per cent grants. The central funds would be transferred to a state level society identified for the implementation of the scheme. v
EGS & AIE proposals would presently focus primarily on non-project (i.e. non-DPEP, LJP) districts. However, in project districts (EGS & AIE would support interventions for `out of school' children under some prescribed conditions. In non-DPEP, non-SSA districts only proposals for EGS schools would be supported during 2000-2001. v
The EGS & AIE would accord a priority to setting up of Alternative (EGS) schools (primary level) in unserved habitations where no school exists within a radius of one km and at least 15-20 children in the age group of 6-14 years are available. v
The state society would have the power to approve all EGS & AIE proposals (state run or VA) which are within an overall ceiling (including block management costs) of Rs. 845 per child per annum for primary level and Rs. 1200 per child per annum for upper primary level. All proposals that have unit costs higher then these would need to be sent to the central government for approval. v
The ceiling for any proposal under the EGS & AIE is Rs. 3000 per annum per child for center costs. v
Conduct of micro-planning exercises, including house to house surveys and evidence of demand from the community and community's commitment would be a pre-requisite for preparation of proposals under EGS & AIE. Academic matters The EGS & AIE provides for recruitment of Educational Volunteers to carry out pedagogical responsibilities. The minimum qualification for their appointment would be matriculation (class X) at primary level and graduation/class XI at Upper primary level. These volunteers for EGS & AIE centers/camps would be selected and appointed by the village community/VEC/Panchayat. Once selected they would be provided an induction training of 30 days duration for the primary level and 40 days for the upper primary level. This training would be the responsibility of the DIETs, DRUs located outside DIETs or identified VAs. State could also constitute state, district and block resource groups to impart training to Education volunteers under EGS & AIE. Review and planning meetings of the Education volunteers would be organized for at least two days every month and adequate and intensive academic support provided from the initial stages itself. The classroom processes in EGS & AIE centers would continue to have a child-centred approach and use of appropriate activities and TLM for children will be encouraged. Since the thrust of EGS & AIE is on mainstreaming of children into the formal schools each state would need to ensure a system of testing & certification of children studying at these centers/bridge course. Education volunteers/Headmasters of formal schools, CRCs/Sub-Inspectors of schools could be involved in a simple assessment procedure for such children to ensure their smooth transition into formal schools in appropriate grades. Duration of the programme The EGS & AIE centers would function for a minimum of four hours a day. The center timings should not be in the late evening or night-time, except in rate cases. There is no specific duration of the scheme in a particular village/slum. While EGS schools would continue to function for several years till upgraded, even centers for other categories of children could continue till `out of school' children in that area are covered. Management structure Till the time SSA becomes fully operational, separate management structures for EGS & AIE could be established for supervision and monitoring of the scheme. Following is the management structure envisaged for EGS & AIE. v
Habitation/village level - A school committee/Mother's group/village Education Committee/Gram Panchayat would be given the responsibility of management of the EGS & AIE centers. v
Cluster level - A cluster will comprise of 20 EGS & AIE centers/bridge courses/camps. A CRP would be responsible for the implementation of the various tasks involved. v
Block level - A Block level committee (as proposed in SSA also) would guide the implementation of EGS & AIE at block level. v
District level - It is expected that the administrative arrangements for SSA at district level would also cover EGS & AIE. However, till such time as such arrangements are finalized, there would be a District Advisory committee headed by the District Collector or the Chief executive Officer of Zilla Parishad as the State Govt. may decide. Representatives of VAs and PRIs, representatives of DIETs, Project Offcers of EGS & AIE, Education Volunteers and educationists would be its members. v
State level society - All state receiving funds under EGS & AIE would be expected to entrust the responsibility of routing funds and overall coordination of the scheme to an existing state level society. As mentioned earlier, since the EGS & AIE would form a part of the SSA, it is appropriate that the society formed or identified for implementation of SSA is also made responsible at the state level for EGS & AIE. v
National level organization - At the national level, the proposed SSA Mission would also oversee the implementation of EGS & AIE. The Mission would have an Executive committee and Governing Council. Monitoring process The Cluster, Block and District bodies would be assigned the responsibility of monitoring of EGS & AIE. At the state level, an intensive monitoring system would have to be established through the involvement of SCERT, DIETs, State and District Resource groups and some good VAs. From the national level the monitoring system would be evolved by involving offices of the Department of Elementary Education & Literacy, national level apex institutions like NCERT, NIEPA, reputed VAs and resource institutions, individual resource persons etc. How is EGS & AIE different from NFE? | NFE | EGS & AIE | | NFE was being implemented as a separate scheme not integrated with elementary education structures in most states. | EGS & AIE would be a part of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and would need to be implemented as an integral part of the UEE effort. EGS & AIE structures/personnel to be part of the Elementary Education structures at state, district and block levels. | | While NFE had advocated flexible strategies, only two hour, two year centers were set up in almost all states. | EGS & AIE supports flexible strategies including schools in unserved habitations, seasonal hostels or condensed courses for migrating children, remedial coaching for children enrolled in formal schools, short duration summer camps etc. | | NFE funds for state-run centers were transferred to the state government. Funds for NFE projects run by VAs were transferred directly to VAs from the central government. | Funds under EGS & AIE would be transferred from GOI to the state society identified for implementation of EGS & AIE. Funds for VA projects would also be released to the state society. This society would be the same as that for SSA. | | Funds pattern was 90:10 for girls' centers and 60:40 for co-ed/boys centers (center:state). For VA run projects, 100% grant from central government. | All EGS & AIE interventions would be funded on a uniform pattern of 75:25 (center:state). State share to be released to state society on a regular basis. For VA projects funding would be 100% from central government. | | No special emphasis on coverage of school-less habitations in most states. | The component called EGS will be given priority under EGS & AIE. The EGS components will cover all unserved habitations in the country where alternative schools have been or are proposed to be set-up. | | Systematic exercises of school mapping/micro-planning and undertaken. | Conduct of micro-planning exercises including house to house surveys and demand generation by community are essential prerequisites for preparing proposals. | | Units costs per pupil in primary level center was Rs. 375/-. For upper primary level it was Rs. 580, project management cost was Rs. 1,39,000 per year (for 100 centers). | Units costs revised as follows: a)
Primary level center: Rs.745/- per child per annum. b)
Upper primary level: Rs. 100/- per annum. c)
Block level management costs: Rs. 00/- per child per annum (for 80-100 centres) d)
District and State level administrative cost: 5% of overall project proposals. e)
Certain innovative strategies: Ceiling of Rs. 3000/- per child per annum. | | Proposals of VAs approved in GIAC of GOI, Grants released directly to VAs. | All VA proposals would form part of the district level EGS & AIE proposals. VA projects would be approved by state society's GIAC. State Society competent to clear all proposals for state (including panchayats) run EGS and AIE centers and VA projects upto ceiling of Rs. 845/- (primary), Rs. 1200/- (upper primary). Beyond this (upto Rs. 3000/-) proposals would need clearance of GOI. | | NFE encouraged community involvement, but in implementation this was not stressed (in most states). | Community involvement is central to EGS and AIE. a)
Micro Planning b)
Selection of education volunteers c)
Payment of honorarium d)
Purchase of TLM e)
Centre management | | Equivalence to formal Education stressed. However, quality inputs got neglected. | a)
Duration of EGS and AIE centers to be at least 4 hours. b)
Induction and recurrent training of 30 days for EVs. c)
2 day monthly review and planning meetings. d)
Regular academic support through CRPs. | Source: DPEP calling, October 200. Some parts have been updated in the light of latest development (May, 2002).
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