Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)
Goals and Objectives

In order to meet the challenge of Universalisation of Secondary Education (USE), there is a need for a paradigm shift in the conceptual design of secondary education. The guiding principles in this regard are; Universal Access, Equality and Social Justice, Relevance and Development and Curricular and Structural Aspects. Universalisation of Secondary Education gives opportunity, to move towards equity. The concept of ‘common school’ will be encouraged. If these values are to be established in the system, all types of schools, including unaided private schools will also contribute towards Universalisation of Secondary Education (USE) by ensuring adequate enrolments for the children from under privileged society and the children Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

The above goal translates into the following main objectives;

i) To ensure that all secondary schools have physical facilities, staffs and supplies at least according to the prescribed standards through financial support in case of Government/ Local Body and Government aided schools, and appropriate regulatory mechanism in the case of other schools.

ii) To improve access to secondary schooling to all young persons according to norms – through proximate location (say, Secondary Schools within 5 kms, and Higher Secondary Schools within 7-10 kms) / efficient and safe transport arrangements/residential facilities, depending on local circumstances including open schooling. However in hilly and difficult areas, these norms can be relaxed. Preferably residential schools may be set up in such areas.

iii) To ensure that no child is deprived of secondary education of satisfactory quality due to gender, socio-economic, disability and other barriers.

iv) To improve quality of secondary education resulting in enhanced intellectual, social and cultural learning.

v) To ensure that all students pursuing secondary education receive education of good quality

vi) Achievement of the above objectives would also, inter-alia, signify substantial progress in the direction of the Common School System.