Here is a complete and well-explained answer to the short notes question (Q9) from the B.Ed. 1st Year Exam 2022 – Contemporary India and Education, suitable for 8 marks each.
✅ Q9. Write short notes on any two of the following:
(8 × 2 = 16 Marks)
🟦 (a) Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)
Introduction:
Launched in March 2009 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan aimed to improve access and quality of secondary education (Classes 9–10) in India.
Objectives:
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To provide universal access to secondary education.
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To ensure quality improvement in education.
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To remove disparities in education based on gender, caste, and geography.
Key Features:
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Strengthening and upgrading existing secondary schools.
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Opening new schools in underserved areas.
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Providing facilities like science labs, libraries, toilets, and ICT.
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Recruitment and training of teachers.
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Special focus on girls, SC/ST/OBC, and minority students.
Impact:
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Helped in increasing the gross enrollment ratio at the secondary level.
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Enhanced infrastructure and learning outcomes in government schools.
Current Status:
In 2018, RMSA was merged into Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, covering pre-primary to Class 12 under one umbrella scheme.
🟦 (b) Review of Mid-Day Meal Programme (MDM)
Introduction:
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was launched in 1995, and revised in 2001, following a Supreme Court order to provide cooked meals in schools to improve nutrition and attendance of children in government and government-aided primary schools.
Objectives:
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To improve nutritional status of children.
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To increase enrollment, attendance, and retention, especially among disadvantaged children.
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To promote social equality through common dining.
Positive Outcomes:
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Significant improvement in school attendance.
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Reduced dropout rates.
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Enhanced nutritional intake of children from poor families.
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Fostered social integration by bringing together children of all backgrounds.
Challenges & Issues:
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Occasional poor quality food or hygiene issues.
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Delay in fund allocation in some states.
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Monitoring and corruption in implementation.
Recent Development:
Renamed as PM POSHAN (2021) – Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, expanding its scope and coverage with better monitoring and nutritional standards.
🟦 (c) BCF – 2008 (Bihar Curriculum Framework)
Introduction:
The Bihar Curriculum Framework (BCF) – 2008 was prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Bihar in alignment with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) – 2005.
Objectives:
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To make education child-centered, activity-based, and inclusive.
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To reflect local culture, languages, and environment of Bihar.
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To promote critical thinking, life skills, and democratic values.
Key Features:
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Curriculum designed to reduce burden and rote learning.
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Use of mother tongue/regional language for primary education.
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Integration of gender, environment, peace, and value education.
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Introduction of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE).
Significance:
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Helped bridge the gap between state curriculum and national standards.
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Made learning more relevant to students in Bihar.
📝 Conclusion:
Each of these initiatives—RMSA, Mid-Day Meal, and BCF-2008—has played a crucial role in improving the Indian education system by addressing access, quality, health, and curriculum reform at different levels.
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