Beyond Universal Access to Elementary Education in India: Is it Achievable at Affordable Costs?

Investment in secondary schooling in India has been neglected for many years. Since the 1990s most emphasis has been on universalising access to elementary schooling, a task that remains far from complete. Under the 11th National Plan Rastriya Madhyamic Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) has been launched to increase access to grade nine and above. This research monograph explores some of the key issues in managing the growth of secondary schooling. These include the constraints on expansion that arise from current levels of elementary school graduation, the costs and affordability of secondary schooling, the infrastructure needs, and increased teacher supply. Policy dialogue around secondary school expansion is a central concern if India is to close the gap between itself and China and other rapidly developing countries in educating most of its population beyond the elementary level.