New Delhi: The UPA government will work on eradicating female illiteracy in the next five years and would set up a national council to bring in reforms in regulatory agencies in higher education.
"The National Literacy Mission will be recast as National Mission for Female Literacy to make every female literate in the next five years," President Pratibha Patil said addressing the joint sitting of Parliament.
Increased female literacy is expected to become a "force multiplier" for all social development programmes, she said. As per the 2001 census, the female literacy stands at 54 per cent against 75 per cent of male literacy.
Patil said the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, pending in Parliament, is also under the active consideration of the Manmohan Singh Government.
"The focus would be on making quality education a right through the enactment of the Bill," she said.
Within the 100 days in office, "the Government will institute a national council for higher education as recommended by the Yash Pal Committee and the National Knowledge Commission to bring in reforms of regulatory institutions," the President said.
Besides, the government would also develop a "brain gain" policy to attract faculty from across the world for the 14 "innovative universities" proposed in the Eleventh Plan, she added.
The Government also aims to provide skill development training to about 50 crore people by 2022 to ensure that Indian contributes significantly to the global workforce.
"Education which provides employable skills holds the key for equal opportunities for OBCs, SCs and STs and minorities," she said.
The President lauded achievements of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme in providing access to elementary education. The retention rate has increased in schools on account of mid-day meal programme which covers nearly 15 crore children.
She also spoke about Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan programme that aims at achieving universal access to secondary education.
On strengthening higher education, she said the government's strategy for the sector would be formulated with focus on expansion, inclusion and excellence and create a new wave of investment in institutions of higher education.
In this regard, she said, the suggestion of the National Knowledge Commission will guide the formulation and implementation of the strategy.
Patil said a wide range of scholarships and educational loans have been introduced for the needy and deserving students in the last five years. The Government will review the schemes and take steps to further strengthen them.
The Government has been able to provide scholarships to about a crore children every year. This apart, loans have been disbursed to over 16 lakh students.
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