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The full form of NPEGEL is National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level. It is a focused intervention by the Government of India aimed at improving access to and the quality of education for disadvantaged girls at the elementary level.
NPEGEL was launched in July 2003 as part of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) program. It was introduced to address the gender gap in education by providing additional support for girls' education beyond the regular SSA provisions. The program specifically targets "hard-to-reach" girls, including those not enrolled in schools, and aims to reduce gender disparities in educationally backward areas.
The primary objectives of NPEGEL are:
Also Check: SDM Full Form
NPEGEL was officially launched in July 2003, with implementation beginning on September 25, 2003. It became a distinct component under SSA with an allocation of Rs. 1,064 crore during the Tenth Five-Year Plan. Blocks were selected based on poor female literacy rates as per census data, focusing on educationally backward blocks (EBBs).
The program emphasizes several key areas:
NPEGEL is implemented in educationally backward blocks (EBBs) where rural female literacy rates are below the national average and the gender gap is above the national average. It also covers blocks with significant SC/ST populations and urban slums where female literacy rates are alarmingly low.
NPEGEL has made significant strides in reducing gender disparities in education by targeting disadvantaged groups and fostering an inclusive learning environment for girls across India.
The National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) is a focused initiative under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) aimed at improving access, retention, and quality of education for underprivileged and disadvantaged girls from Class I to VIII. It addresses gender disparities in education by providing additional support and interventions in educationally backward areas, such as community mobilization, gender-sensitive teaching materials, and incentives like uniforms and stationery
NPEGEL was launched in July 2003 as an amendment to the SSA program. It became a distinct component to enhance girls' education in areas with low female literacy and high gender gaps.
In Maharashtra, the Mulina Mofat Shikshan Yojana 2024 (Free Education Scheme for Girls) supports higher education for girls from economically weaker sections, socially and economically backward classes, and other marginalized groups.
The scheme covers various professional courses and provides financial assistance to ensure that girls can pursue education without monetary constraints. Additionally, the Lek Ladki Scheme offers financial aid at different stages of a girl's life to encourage education and delay child marriage.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions transforming India into a global knowledge superpower by creating an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education system. It emphasizes access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability across all levels of education.
Key reforms include multidisciplinary learning, vocational training integration, flexible entry/exit points in higher education, and achieving universal enrollment from preschool to secondary levels by 2030.
The objectives of NPEGEL include:
The National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986, introduced under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's leadership, sought to universalize elementary education, improve its quality, and promote equality in access across all social groups.
It emphasized a common educational structure (10+2+3), gender equality, vocationalization of education, adult literacy programs, and inclusive measures for marginalized communities. The policy laid the foundation for reforms aimed at creating an equitable national education system.