Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)

Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Government of India on March 2, 2009, aimed at the universalization and enhancement of quality of secondary education (Standards IX and X). The program is jointly funded by the Centre and State Governments and seeks to address issues such as dropout rates after elementary education and inadequate access to secondary schooling.

Objectives:

• To provide good quality secondary education that is accessible and affordable for all children aged 14-18 years.
• Improve quality of secondary education.
• Ensure a secondary school is within 5 km and higher secondary school within 7-10 km of every habitation.
• Achieve 100% Net Enrolment Rate (NER) in secondary education by 2017.
• Ensure universal retention by 2020.
• Prioritize access for economically weaker sections, girls, differently-abled, SC, ST, OBC, and minorities.
• Upgrade middle schools to high schools.
• Strengthen infrastructure and human resources in existing secondary schools.
• Remove barriers related to gender, socio-economic status, and disability.

Need for the Scheme:

• Universalization of elementary education (Class I-VIII) is constitutionally mandated; RMSA aims to maintain gains by focusing on secondary education (Class IX-X).
• Addresses dropout prevention after elementary education under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
• Seeks to increase enrolment and retention at the secondary level.

Targets and Coverage:

Target Area	Description	Target Year
Enrolment Ratio for Classes IX-X	Increase from 52.26% (2005-06) to 75%	2011-12
Universal Access	Secondary and higher secondary schools accessible within prescribed distances	Ongoing
Infrastructure Development	Construction of classrooms, labs, toilets, etc.	Ongoing
Teacher Recruitment	Appointment of additional teachers	Ongoing

• Covers all Government, local body, and government-aided secondary schools.

Access:

• Upgradation of upper primary schools to secondary schools.
• Infrastructure development including classrooms, laboratories, computer rooms, libraries, toilets (separate for girls and boys), drinking water, electricity, telephone, and internet.

Equity:

• Special incentives for girls.
• Support for students from SC/ST, minorities, and other weaker sections.

Quality:

• In-service teacher training.
• Promotion of computer-aided learning.
• Emphasis on co-curricular activities and teaching-learning aids.

Component	Central Share	State Share	Applicable Region
RMSA (11th Five Year Plan)	90%	10%	North-Eastern States
Other States	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified

Implementation Structure and Progress:

• RMSA is registered under the Society Registration Act (No. 5849).
• A State Mission Authority (Governing Council) headed by the Chief Minister with senior officials as members oversees the program.
• An Executive Committee led by the Principal Secretary, School Education, is responsible for project appraisal.
• The Director of School Education serves as the State Mission Director.
• Formation of District Level Core Groups and appointment of District Programme Coordinators ensure decentralized planning.
• Constituted School Management & Development Committees (SMDCs) and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) at school levels.
• Secondary Education Management Information System (SEMIS) established for data management.
• Perspective and Annual Plans (2009-10) have been submitted to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Achievements and Financial Support (Tamil Nadu Example):

Year	Schools Upgraded	Funds Allocated (in Rs. Crore)
2011-12	710	1069.51

Conclusion:

RMSA represents a strategic and well-structured government effort to transform secondary education in India by addressing infrastructure gaps, enhancing teaching quality, and promoting equitable access. The scheme’s success depends on continuous planning, monitoring, and capacity building at all administrative levels, focusing on holistic development of secondary education in line with constitutional mandates and national educational goals.