missing children and the sarva siksha abhiyan (SSA)

In my yearly visits to the hinderlands in Tamilnadu I had remarked at the increased traffic of school kids in the past 5-7 odd years. This was a program started by the erstwhile BJP government and its effects were seen immediately in Tamilnadu.

I find the reason for that now. Check out http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/tamilnadu/Making-schools-fun/Article1-481150.aspx .

The movement was so taken to heart by many IAS officers who as collectors of districts would personally directly monitor the daily attendance levels of the schools in their district. So it not surprising for me to see so many "missing" children on their way to school all those years back!! The BJP got two good things to the country - Kalam as chief motivator (he was no machiavalli to be called a president !! - chk out http://forsec.blogspot.com/2009/08/water-finds-its-own-level.html) and the SSA - the true impact of this will be felt in the next decade when all these people bring a much needed moderation to the political and social fabric of this nation.

Maybe India will be shining after all!!

From the HT article it is clear that Tamilnadu has shown maximum progress while other states have lagged behind. That does not mean there is no progress - it just shows since personal interest by the powers that be has not been applied, the effects are to that extent muted. But everywhere in India one sees the missing children on the way to school!!