Central Delhi has been included in the list of 419 special focus districts (SFDs) for 2012-13 under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Last year the number was 389.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development describes these 419 districts as being “characterised by marginalisation and backwardness and yet to be on a par with other districts” on school education parameters.
Central Delhi has been included in the SFDs for a low retention rate in schools — below 60 per cent.
The government gives special attention to these educationally backward districts, which are identified on indicators of infrastructure deficit, a high concentration of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, minority population, out-of-school children and high gender gap. Funds for these districts are sanctioned on priority for different interventions including opening new schools, teacher recruitment and construction work.
