India signed loan agreement with World Bank for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan III

Union Government of India and the World Bank on 29 May 2014 signed the Loan Agreement for World Bank (IDA) assistance of 1006.20 million US dollar for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan III, the largest ongoing Education for All programme in the world. The assistance from the World Bank will be in form of Credit under IDA 16 at a concessional rate from the International Development Assistance (IDA).

The project is to be implemented in 3 years and the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development is the implementing agency.

On behalf of India the agreement was signed by Nilaya Mitash, the Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and Michael Haney, World Bank’s Operation’s Advisor in India signed it on behalf of the World Bank.

About Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a flagship programme of Government of India for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time bound manner. It was mandated by 86th amendment to the Constitution of India in which free and compulsory Education to the Children of 6-14 years age group, a Fundamental Right was made compulsory.

SSA is being implemented in partnership with State Governments to cover the entire country and address the needs of 192 million children in 1.1 million habitations.

SSA seeks to provide quality elementary education including life skills. SSA has a special focus on girl's education and children with special needs and reduction of gender and social category gaps in elementary education. SSA also seeks to provide computer education to bridge the digital divide.