DFID sanctions Rs 1555cr for India

The Department for International Development (DFID), the British government's arm for international development assistance, has announced a Rs 1,555 crore grant for the Government of India's (GOI) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) aimed at delivering universal elementary education to all.

This is in addition to the initial grant of 20 million pounds made by DFID last year.

This fund would targeting West Bengal, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh in the initial phase.

"Britain considers India as a major strategic partner in tackling the global problem in primary education sector. we are looking forward to different exchange programme and twin overseas partners with schools of West Bengal (WB) and other states of the country through the global education gateway programme of the British government", said David Miliband, British minister of state for school standards.

"With the objective of implementing and international and much rational practice the state government is thinking of introducing grading system abolishing existing marking system in the primary schools in the next academic year", informed Kanti Biswas, state education minister.

SSA programme has set target of ensuring eight years of quality education to all children between age group of 6 to 14 years by 2010.

Funds for SSA provide for the physical construction and extension of primary and upper primary schools, provision of training in social mobilization and education management, payment of salaries for teachers hired under the programme, free text books to girls and children from scheduled caste and tribe and support to students with disability.