Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is an Indian Government

Government of India

The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...

 programme aimed at the universalization of elementary education "in a time bound manner", as mandated by the 86th amendment to the Constitution of India

Constitution of India

The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens...

 making free and compulsory education to children of ages 6–14 (estimated to be 205 million in number in 2001) a fundamental right

Fundamental Rights in India

'Part III - Fundamental Rights' is a charter of rights contained in the Constitution of India. It guarantees civil liberties such that all Indians can lead their lives in peace and harmony as citizens of India...

. The programme was pioneered by Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Atal Bihari Vajpayee is an Indian statesman who served as the tenth Prime Minister of India three times – first for a brief term of 13 days in 1996, and then for two terms from 1998 to 2004. After his first brief period as Prime Minister in 1996, Vajpayee headed a coalition government from...

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Its goals of 2011 were to:

• Open new schools in areas which do not have them and to expand existing school infrastructures and maintenance.
• Address inadequate teacher numbers, and provide training a development for existing teachers
• Provide quality elementary education including life skills with a special focus on the education of girls and children with special needs as well as computer education.