The Scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) a national flagship programme, is being implemented in all districts of the country. The aim of SSA is to provide useful and relevant elementary education for all children in the 6-14 age groups by 2010. The scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was launched in 2001. The goals of SSA are as follows: (i) all 6-14 age children in school/EGS (Education Guarantee Scheme) centre/Bridge Course by 2005. (ii) Bridge all gender and social category gaps at primary stage by 2007 and at elementary education level by 2010. (iii) Universal retention by 2010. (iv) Focus on elementary education of satisfactory quality with emphasis on education for life. The assistance under the programme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was on a 85:15 sharing arrangement during the Ninth Plan, 75:25 sharing arrangement during the Tenth Plan, and 50:50 sharing thereafter between the Central Government and the State Government except for 8 NE states, where 15% of the state there is met by Ministry of DONER for the two years 2005-06 and 2006-07. The programme covers the entire country with special focus on educational needs of girls, SCs/STs and other children in difficult circumstances. The programme seeks to open new schools in those places which do not have schooling facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grant. SSA has a special focus on girls and children of weaker sections. A number of initiatives, including distribution of free textbooks, target these children under the programme. The SSA also seeks to provide computer education even in the rural areas. During 2006-07, the SSA approved 41656 primary school building, 19699 upper primary school building, 358939 additional classrooms, 6438 drinking water facility, 5634 toilet facility and free textbooks for 6.22 crore children for all 604 districts. A sum of Rs. 10863.34 crore (upto March 2007) was released by Central Government to the States/UTs. Till December 2006 almost 1.81 lakh new schools have been opened since the inception of SSA. 149683 new school buildings and 650442 additional classrooms have been constructed or are nearing completion and 8.14 lakh new teachers have been appointed under SSA till 31.3.2007. In the IXth Plan Rs. 576.45 crore and in the Xth Plan Rs. 27895.85 crore were provided by Government of India for SSA. SSA has succeeded in bringing about a huge reduction in the number of out of school children from 320 lakh in 2001-02 to about 70 lakh in March 2007. The enrolment of girls during the same period increased by 19.2% at primary level and 15% at upper primary level. 67 lakh children are presently enrolled in flexible alternative schools that provide access in small, remote habitations and for specific groups of children like working children, children who migrate seasonally with families, urban deprived children etc.