Increase is Expenditure on School Education
The enrolment at elementary and secondary levels has increased substantially on account of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan. The GER at elementary level was 97% and the GER at Secondary level 76.64% in 2013-14. The average annual dropout rate has also declined at elementary and secondary levels due to these schemes. This information was given by the Minister for Human Resources Development Smt. Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha today.
The expenditure on school education has been increasing during the last three years. The table below provides figures of Central Plan Expenditure on school education and the percentage increase.
| Year | Expenditure (In Rs. Crore) | % increase in expenditure over the previous year |
| 2011-12 | 38122.50 | — |
| 2012-13 | 42326.58 | 11.02% |
| 2013-14 | 43848.56 | 3.60% |
| 2014-15 (BE) | 51828.00 | 18.19% (prov.) |
As per the Key Indicators of Household Consumer Expenditure in India in 2011-12, the average monthly per capita expenditure based on Mixed Modified Recall Period (MMRP), was Rs.756 in rural areas and Rs.1121 in urban area. Expenditure on education was Rs. 50 in rural areas and Rs.182 in urban areas on a per capita basis.
The Government has taken a number of steps to improve quality of education in rural and remote areas. These relate to appointment of additional teachers, pre-service and in service training of teachers, teacher performance indicators, and student assessment.
