Which of the following options is an important component of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) to bring out-of-school children in the fold of elementary education?

Correct option is D

The Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) is an important component of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) designed specifically to bring out-of-school children into the fold of elementary education. This scheme was launched to ensure access to schooling in remote and unserved habitations where formal schools were not available within walking distance.
Under EGS, if a habitation had no school within a 1 km radius and at least 15–25 children (depending on state norms) without access to education, the government guaranteed to provide education through alternative means—either by opening a school or by appointing an instructor. These centres were later upgraded into formal schools or integrated with mainstream educational institutions.
Information Booster:
· EGS was aimed at unserved habitations, especially in rural and tribal areas.
· It helped bridge gaps in access by setting up education centres quickly and with community participation.
· The programme focused on flexibility, making education accessible in terms of location and schedule.
· EGS was later merged with SSA to streamline efforts under a single mission.
· The scheme helped India progress towards universal elementary education.
· It included community participation in the management and monitoring of schools.
Additional Knowledge:
· Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme: This scheme was launched in 2004 as part of SSA, specifically aimed at setting up residential schools for girls belonging to disadvantaged groups like SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities. Though important, it is focused on girls' education, not directly on general out-of-school children.
· District Primary Education Programme (DPEP): Launched in 1994, DPEP was a predecessor to SSA and focused on improving the quality and infrastructure of primary education in selected districts. While it laid the groundwork for SSA, it is not a component of SSA.
· Non-Formal Education Scheme (NFE): NFE was an earlier initiative to provide flexible education to children who could not attend regular schools, such as child laborers or working children. However, NFE was largely phased out and replaced by newer strategies under SSA, including EGS and AIE (Alternative and Innovative Education).