Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRSbe pleased to state :- (a) whether it is a fact that hundreds of Indian students mostly from Andhra Pradesh are facing the prospect of deportation from USA after a California based University was shut down by authorities on charge of alleged immigration; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether all the students obtained visa through regular channel; (d) the reasons for allegation against these students of illegal migration; and (e) the action contemplated by Government to protect the interests of our genuine students from the fraud committed by the University?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED) (a) & (b) Closure of Tri-Valley University in California on 19 January 2011 for alleged fraudulent practices has created an uncertain academic future for approximately 1500 Indian students enrolled at the University, a majority of whom were from Andhra Pradesh. (c) All students were on valid student visas and authorization. (d) The students have not been charged for illegal immigration, but for possible violation of visa conditions, including those related to class attendance, residence and work. (e) Government’s primary concern is the welfare of the affected Indian students and to ensure that their academic career is not jeopardized. The Government has repeatedly conveyed to the US Government that the students, who are themselves victims of the fraud, should be given adequate time and opportunity to transfer to other universities, adjust their status or, if they desire, return to India honourably. Government has been providing assistance to students, including through direct meeting with students, organization of free legal aid camps, and issuing appropriate guidance and advisories.
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state :- (a) whether emphasis on free and compulsory education at primary level is bound to expand intake of children at secondary and further levels manyfold;
(b) if so, the plans of Government to widen infrastructure and man-power requirements for secondary education and further levels to meet this additional intake;
(c) the details of expected expenditure involved and plans to meet the same; and
(d) the details of plans Government has to bring about 15 million children, estimated to be engaged in some form of work, into the stream of education?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) Yes Sir,
(b) & (c) The centrally sponsored scheme Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) launched in March 2009, inter-alia, provides for opening of new secondary schools (classes IX and X) based on school mapping, strengthening of existing secondary schools and induction of additional teachers to improve Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR). The 11th Plan outlay for RMSA is ` 20120 crore. During 2009-10, an amount of ` 550.00 crore was released to the States / UTs under this scheme. For 2010-11, the budget provision is ` 1700 crore.
(d) The centrally sponsored scheme Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to universalize elementary education has been in operation since 2001- 02. Subsequently the “Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009” has been enacted to ensure free and compulsory education upto elementary level.
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRSbe pleased to state :- (a) whether it is a fact that hundreds of Indian students mostly from Andhra Pradesh are facing the prospect of deportation from USA after a California based University was shut down by authorities on charge of alleged immigration; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether all the students obtained visa through regular channel; (d) the reasons for allegation against these students of illegal migration; and (e) the action contemplated by Government to protect the interests of our genuine students from the fraud committed by the University?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED) (a) & (b) Closure of Tri-Valley University in California on 19 January 2011 for alleged fraudulent practices has created an uncertain academic future for approximately 1500 Indian students enrolled at the University, a majority of whom were from Andhra Pradesh. (c) All students were on valid student visas and authorization. (d) The students have not been charged for illegal immigration, but for possible violation of visa conditions, including those related to class attendance, residence and work. (e) Government’s primary concern is the welfare of the affected Indian students and to ensure that their academic career is not jeopardized. The Government has repeatedly conveyed to the US Government that the students, who are themselves victims of the fraud, should be given adequate time and opportunity to transfer to other universities, adjust their status or, if they desire, return to India honourably. Government has been providing assistance to students, including through direct meeting with students, organization of free legal aid camps, and issuing appropriate guidance and advisories.
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state :- (a) whether emphasis on free and compulsory education at primary level is bound to expand intake of children at secondary and further levels manyfold;
(b) if so, the plans of Government to widen infrastructure and man-power requirements for secondary education and further levels to meet this additional intake;
(c) the details of expected expenditure involved and plans to meet the same; and
(d) the details of plans Government has to bring about 15 million children, estimated to be engaged in some form of work, into the stream of education?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) Yes Sir,
(b) & (c) The centrally sponsored scheme Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) launched in March 2009, inter-alia, provides for opening of new secondary schools (classes IX and X) based on school mapping, strengthening of existing secondary schools and induction of additional teachers to improve Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR). The 11th Plan outlay for RMSA is ` 20120 crore. During 2009-10, an amount of ` 550.00 crore was released to the States / UTs under this scheme. For 2010-11, the budget provision is ` 1700 crore.
(d) The centrally sponsored scheme Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to universalize elementary education has been in operation since 2001- 02. Subsequently the “Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009” has been enacted to ensure free and compulsory education upto elementary level.
