New Delhi, Feb 10 : Union Minister for Human Resource Development Arjun Singh will chair the 55th meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) here today.

M. A. A. Fatmi, Minister of State for School Education and Literacy and D. Purandeshwari, Minister of State for Higher Education (both Vice-Chairperson of CABE), Central Ministers of related Ministries and select Ministers in charge of Education from various States/ UTs will attend the meeting.

The Board also has representatives from different walks of life comprising eminent educationists, authors, artists, linguists apart from heads of different autonomous organizations and secretaries of different departments of the Government of India.

Today''s meeting will focus on review of various initiatives by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), both in school education and literacy as well as higher education.

The meeting will particularly focus on Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan - flagship programme for universalization of elementary education; Mid Day Meal Programme - meant for improving nutritional standards and health status of school-going children; and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan for universalization of access to secondary education.

The meeting will also deliberate on efforts made by the Ministry of HRD for the right of children to free and compulsory education.

In the area of higher education, the CABE will deliberate on planning and progress in expansion of higher education envisaged under the 11th Five Year Plan.

The meeting is likely to focus on initiatives like opening of new Central Universities, Central assistance for the 374 new degree colleges in educationally backward districts, opening of new IITs, IIMs, NITs, IITSERs and IIITs, National Mission on Education through ICT, educational advancement of minorities and reforms in higher education.

CABE is the highest advisory body to advise the Central and State Governments in the field of education.

It has been reconstituted by the Government on December 12, 2008 with the mandate to review the progress of education and implementation of education policies and to advise regarding educational development in the country.

The CABE also acts as a forum for coordination and exchange of views between Central and State Governments/Union Territories and Non-Governmental Agencies on education policy and progress. (ANI)