PM-USHA
– GOVERNMENT SCHEME
News: 14 States yet to join Centre’s
flagship education scheme
What's
in the news?
● 14
States and Union Territories are yet to sign a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Ministry of Education, mandating the implementation of the
National Education Policy (NEP) to avail funds for the next three years, under
the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).
PM-USHA:
● In
the light of the National Education
Policy, RUSA (Rashtriya
Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) Scheme has been launched as “Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM- USHA)” in June 2023.
● RUSA,
as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
launched in October 2013, aiming at providing strategic funding to higher
education institutions throughout the country.
Focused
areas:
● Equity
Access and inclusion in higher
education.
● Developing
Quality Teaching & Learning processes.
● Accreditation
of Non-Accredited Institutions and improving accreditation.
● ICT – based Digital Infrastructure.
● Enhancing Employability
through Multidisciplinary.
Highlights:
1.
MERU Transformation:
● It
supports 35 accredited state universities with Rs 100 crore each to facilitate
multi-disciplinary education and research.
2.
Model Degree Colleges:
● The
scheme provides provisions for establishing new model degree colleges.
3.
Enhancing Universities:
● Grants
are allocated to strengthen universities.
4.
Focus on Remote and Aspirational Areas:
● PM-USHA
targets remote, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected regions, aspirational
districts, and areas with low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER).
5.
Support for Gender Inclusion and Equity:
● The
scheme aids state governments in promoting gender inclusion and equity, as well
as upgrading skills for better employability through Information and
Communication Technology (ICT).