Why in the News?

• The Union government has initiated nationwide consultations with States and stakeholders to chart a roadmap for Samagra Shiksha 3.0 for the 2026-27 academic cycle.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Samagra Shiksha 3.0 (Background, Evolution, Objectives, Focus Areas, Governance, etc.)
• News Summary

Samagra Shiksha 3.0

• Background and Evolution
  • Samagra Shiksha is an integrated, centrally sponsored scheme for school education covering the entire continuum from pre-primary to senior secondary level.
  • Launched in 2018 by subsuming Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, and Teacher Education schemes, it marked a shift toward a holistic and unified approach to school education.
  • Samagra Shiksha 3.0 represents the next phase of this reform journey, aligned with five years of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation and India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• Core Objectives

• Universal enrolment up to Class XII
• Reduction in dropout rates
• Improvement in foundational and grade-level learning outcomes
• Strengthening teacher capacity and school leadership
• Ensuring equity for socio-economically disadvantaged groups

• Key Focus Areas

• Access and Infrastructure: Bridging regional and social gaps in schooling facilities
• Quality of Learning: Age-appropriate learning benchmarks, curriculum equivalence across boards, and competency-based assessments
• Teacher Capacity Building: Continuous professional development, pedagogical reforms, and leadership training
• Digital Education: Integration of technology, digital platforms, and Artificial Intelligence in classrooms
• Equity and Inclusion: Support for girls, children with disabilities, SC/ST students, and aspirational districts

• Governance and Planning Approach
  • A major shift under Samagra Shiksha 3.0 is the emphasis on consultative, bottom-up planning.
  • States and Union Territories are encouraged to prepare robust annual plans grounded in local school realities while aligning with national priorities.
  • The scheme promotes convergence among Ministries, States, and civil society to improve implementation efficiency.

News Summary

• A high-level consultation was held in New Delhi to deliberate on the future direction of Samagra Shiksha 3.0, bringing together State Education Secretaries, State Project Directors, central ministries, and education experts.
• The meeting aimed to develop a clear, implementable national roadmap for the next phase of school education reforms.
• Key Themes of Deliberation
  • Bridging learning gaps exacerbated by pandemic disruptions
  • Improving nutrition and learning outcomes simultaneously
  • Integrating vocational education and skilling pathways within schools
  • Leveraging digital tools and Artificial Intelligence for personalised learning
  • Making schools active agents of social and economic transformation
• Alignment with National Development Goals
  • The consultations highlighted that human capital development is central to achieving India’s long-term growth ambitions.
  • Strengthening school education was identified as the foundation for a skilled workforce, social mobility, and inclusive development.
• Outcome-Oriented Vision
  • Globally competitive, while remaining rooted in Indian values
  • Responsive to diverse student needs across regions
  • Outcome-driven, with measurable improvements in learning indicators
  • Society-centric, encouraging community participation in school governance

Road Ahead

• States have been urged to treat the 2026-27 planning cycle as a national movement rather than a routine administrative exercise.
• The convergence of best practices, technological innovation, and cooperative federalism is expected to strengthen India’s school education ecosystem in the coming decade.