Developing countries have made a steady improvement towards the universalisation of elementary education. The progress in Asia is commendable with increased enrolments and retention in the primary schools disregarding gender differences. Such considerable enhancement is the outcome of several initiatives undertaken by the governments of various nations as also the non-governmental initiatives taken by the socially spirited people. India is one of such developing countries, wherein the government has allocated increased funds for the improvement of elementary education in the country, when compared to its earlier Five Year Plans. Not only has the government avoided economic aid, but also introduced several schemes and programmes for the attainment of the First Millennium Development Goal, the most noteworthy ones being Operation Blackboard Scheme, District Primary Education Programme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, etc. However, inspite of such initiatives, there are several root challenges to be addressed, namely, poverty, gender disparities, social and religious practices, meager supply of resources, infrastructural inadequacies, etc., before India can boast of total basic education in the country. Keeping the said objective in mind, the book has attempted to capture the present scenario of primary education in the country and its challenges, together with the new trends and the initiatives adopted both in India and abroad for the promotion and accomplishment of the First Millennium Development Goal. The book endeavors to generate awareness of the necessity of basic education, not only to support literacy and economic development but also to encourage value-based education from childhood.
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