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Abstract
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has been operational in India since 2000-2001 to provide for a variety of interventions for universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps in elementary education and improving the quality of learning. It has been designated as the scheme for meeting the objectives of the Right of Free and Compulsory Education which provides a legal entitlement to every child in the age group of six to fourteen years for free and compulsory elementary education in a neighbourhood school. SSA interventions include opening of new schools, provision of alternate and innovative schooling facilities, construction of additional classrooms, provision of drinking water and sanitation facilities, ensuring availability of qualified teachers, in service training for regular teachers, providing academic resource support, distribution of free textbooks and uniforms, extending support for improving learning achievement levels/outcome, etc. (MHRD, n.d., p.1). With the passage of the Right to Education (RTE) Act in 2009, several changes have been incorporated into the strategies and approaches adopted by the SSA.