New name for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan?

NEW DELHI: The UPA Government’s flagship programme Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is likely to be renamed as Rashtriya Shiksha Abhiyan.

Although SSA is primarily a central government project, the government feels that state governments are running away with the credit. It is learnt that the UPA government is not keen to run a programme which has been named by the NDA government aimed at reducing school dropouts and increase the enrollment rate.

“The new name will give a new identity to the programme. Also, the word Rashtriya would make it clear that it is a central government, not a state government project,” said an official from MHRD. Names like Kendriya Shikha Abhiyan are also being talked about. The matter is being listed regularly for the Cabinet meeting.