Central Delhi given attention among 419 districts for education

The Human Resource Development Ministry under Kapil Sibbal has included Central Delhi in the list of Special Focus Districts (SFDs) for 2012-13 under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

On School education parameters, these 419 districts are described as "characterised by marginalisation and backwardness and yet to be on a par with other districts". With a substantial Muslim population, Central Delhi is also the parliamentary constituency of Kapil Sibal. The area has been included in the SFDs on the ground of low retention rate in schools which is below 60 per cent.

The areas included by government under the SFDs comprises of educationally backward districts that are gauged on the basis of infrastructure dearth, minority population, out-of-school children, a high concentration of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and high gender gap. Other categories identified by the Prime Minister's Office include Muslim concentration districts, naxal-affected districts, border area districts, and 121 minority districts.

While there were 389 SFDs sanctioned in the year 2011- 12, this year it raised to 419 districts. The government is keen to bridge the social and infrastructure gap and hence has advised the States to prepare detailed and need-based plans for these districts.