Kerala Board Of Higher Secondary Education—A Name Of Excellence In Education
Kerala’s achievements in the field of education are very encouraging and inspiring. The state has the highest literacy rate of 93.91%, in comparison to other Indian states. Lower dropout rates, priority to women education, free and compulsory primary education, easy accessibility to educational institutes and gender equality are the main positive attributes of Kerala education system. The system is divided into primary education, high school education and secondary education.
Midday Meal Scheme, 1984
- Midday meal scheme was launched in Kerala hoping that at least 90% and above attendance can be ensured every day and dropout rates in the middle of the academic year can be eliminated.
- This scheme also encourages poor children belonging to lower income sections of the society to attend schools regularly.
District Primary Education Program, (DPEP) 1994
- The Program was launched to provide quality primary education that aims at making the elementary education universal. It was initiated in 42 districts with an effort to enroll and retain student and decrease dropouts resulting in gender and social equalities.
- DPEP specifically aims at girls, SC/ST and children with special needs. The number of enrollments has increased drastically since its inception, as compared to non-DPEP districts.
- Government has taken steps to initiate DPEP in 12,000 primary schools and Kerala is the first Indian state to adopt the same.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, (SSA) 2001
- SSA aims at providing free and compulsory education to children in the age group of 6-14 years.
- The program also seeks at opening new schools in areas that do not have educational facilities as well as strengthening the existing infrastructure of schools by providing additional classrooms, toilet and clean drinking water facilities.
- Girls and SC/ST students up to 8th standard are provided free text books.
- Additional teachers have been appointed in schools that have insufficient teacher strength and increasing existing teacher strength by providing teaching and learning aids.
Primary Education
Kerala has always been a top achiever in the ranking of primary education. Midday meal schemes, SSA and DPEP have contributed a lot in preventing dropout rates. The improvements in infrastructure facilities for primary schools are quite remarkable in Kerala. The allocation of annual expenditure on elementary education in Kerala is the highest in the country.
Secondary Education
Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education was developed in 1990 and was introduced in 31 selected Government high schools. The main aim of the Board is to impart quality education by providing courses in science, humanities and commerce streams and provides timely training to teachers too. However, the dropout rates in 9th and 10th standards are increasing, particularly for SC/ST students. Also, there are poor infrastructure and other facilities as far as secondary education is concerned.
Conclusion
Kerala takes legitimate pride in its educational system and ensures equal access to gender and social class. Kerala board of Higher Secondary Education aims at imparting quality education at all levels. It has taken necessary steps to improve quality and social disparities in schools and colleges and will continue to implement more programs in the coming years.