Samagra Shiksha 3.0 – Reimagining School Education Framework

Samagra Shiksha Latest 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.

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.

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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.

Source: TH | PIB