A Study of Government Initiatives To Achieve ‘ Universalization of Elementary Education’ in India

1. A Study of Government Initiatives To Achieve ‘Universalization of Elementary Education’ in India and Role of NGOs In Enhancing them. Ravi Kandikonda Asha for Education – Dallas Chapter April 27th 2008

2. A Brief History … 1950 – Article 45 of Indian Constitution mandates as follows: “The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years”. Source: (http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/welcome.html) 1968 – 1st National Policy on Education. The Government resolves to promote the development of education in accordance with [among others] ‘Strenuous efforts should be made for the early fulfillment of the Directive Principle under Article 45 of the Constitution seeking to provide free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14 …’ Source: (http://www.education.nic.in/policy/npe-1968.pdf) 1986 – 2nd National Policy on Education. “It shall be ensured that free and compulsory education of satisfactory quality is provided to all children up to 14 years of age before we enter the twenty first century.” Source: (http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/g/T/49/toc.htm) 1992 – 3rd National Policy on Education. “The new thrust in elementary education will emphasize three aspects: (i) universal access and enrollment, (ii) universal retention of children up to 14 years of age and (iii) a substantial improvement in the quality of education to enable all children to achieve essential levels of learning” Source: (http://www.education.nic.in/policy/npe86-mod92.pdf) continued

3. A Brief History … 1993 – Unni Krishnan Judgment: “Articles 21, 41, 45 and 46 - Right to Education - Whether a fundamental right - Held: Every child/citizen has a right to free education up to the age of 14 years and thereafter it is subject to limits of economic capacity and development of the State -State obliged to follow directions contained in Article 45 - Article 21 to be construed in the light of Articles 41, 45 and 46.” Source: (http://www.judis.nic.in/supremecourt/qrydisp.aspx?filename=12220) 1998 – Education Ministers’ Resolve “supports the cause of Universal Elementary Education (UEE) by stating that Universal Elementary Education should be pursued in the mission mode and that there is a need to pursue a holistic and convergent approach towards UEE …’ Source: (http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/vision2025/edu2025.pdf) 1999 – National Committee’s Report on UEE in the mission mode – “UEE should be pursued in a mission mode with a holistic and convergent approach with emphasis on preparation of District Elementary Education Plans for UEE.” Source: (http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/vision2025/edu2025.pdf)

4. Current Status: Source: ASER 2007 report from Pratham (based on 567 out of 584 districts Disclaimer: I am using this as an indicative as Pratham admits that some data could be insufficient to conclude

5. Current Status: Total children in India (6-14 years age group): – 200 million* Source: http://ssa.nic.in/research/out_of_school/Executive.pdf * The table reflects 194,028,643 children based on data collected in July – Oct 2005

6. State-wise distribution: Source: http://ssa.nic.in/research/out_of_school/Executive.pdf

7. Persistent Problems: • Inaccessibility to Government schools . • Drop-out rate. • Inadequate or no infrastructure. • Teacher absenteeism. • Teacher apathy. • Serious lack of teacher accountability. • Irrelevant curricula. • Serious (resultant) deficiency in learning levels.

8. Approach: • Provide Access to Government schools • (within 1km or less than 5km for upper primary) • Increase Enrollment • (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, ICDS, KGBV etc) • Increase Retention • (currently poses major Challenges) • Improve Infrastructure • (Classrooms, Blackboards and other teaching aids) • Assess Quality of Learning Levels • (Azim Premji Foundation is doing some work here) • Provide Quality Teacher Training and motivation • (Sikshana is doing some work here) • Monitor progress and provide feedback to Schools. • (Sikshana is doing some work here) • Improve Curricula • (AVEHI – ABACUS, Sangati)

9. Some quick descriptions: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): It is a Government of India's flagship program launched in 2001 in partnership with State Governments for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time bound manner to cover the entire country and address the needs of 200 million children in nearly 2 million habitations. The program seeks to open new schools in those habitations 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 girl's education and children with special needs. • The objectives of SSA include: • All children should attend school or an Alternative school such as an Education Guarantee School (EGS) centre or 'Back-to-School' camp, by 2003 • All children should complete five years of primary schooling by 2007 • All children should complete eight years of elementary schooling by 2010 • Focus on elementary education of satisfactory quality with emphasis on education for life • Bridge all gender and social category gaps at primary stage by 2007 and at elementary education level by 2010 • Universal retention by 2010

10. Some more descriptions: Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS): ICDS promotes child survival and development through an integrated approach for converging basic services for improved child care, early stimulation and learning, improved enrolment and retention, health and nutrition, and water and environmental sanitation. ICDS provides increased opportunities for promoting early development, associated with improved enrolment and retention in the early primary stage and by releasing girls from the burden of sibling care, to enable them to participate in primary education. Source: http://wcd.nic.in/childdet.htm

11. Some more descriptions: Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV): In conjunction with the SSA, Government will also set up 750 residential schools withboarding facilities, at elementary level for girls belonging predominantly to the SC, ST, OBC and minorities in difficult areas. Mid Day Meals (MDM): The Centrally-sponsored Scheme was launched on 15th August, 1995. Its objective was to boost “universalization of primary education by increasing enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously impacting on nutrition of students in primary classes”. It was implemented in 2408 blocks in the first year, and covered the whole country in a phased manner by 1997-98. The program originally covered children of primary stage (Classes I to V) in government, local body & government-aided schools, and was extended in October, 2002, to cover children studying in Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) and Alternative & Innovative Education (AIE) Centres. Note: The government has others schemes like Mahila Samakhya and Teachers Training program, which I’m still learning about.

12. What has been achieved so far: Enrollment rate: Almost close to 100%. SSA and other efforts will probably make it 100% by 2010. Retention rate: Seen a slight increase due to Mid day meal scheme and other efforts. Learning Levels: Highly deficient. Work with Government schools and other NGOs [like Azim Premji Foundation]. Teacher Training: Significant progress yet to be seen. Sikshana model scaling? Infrastructure: Majority of schools still lack basic facilities. Work with local Government to provide basic facilities. Curricula development: Little or none from Government. One example of NGO effort is in Mumbai, AVEHI-ABACUS and Sangati. Source: http://wcd.nic.in/childdet.htm

13. Sikshana model: Vision: To evolve a sustainable and replicable model for an effective and decentralized public education system based on good management practices • Core focus: • Improve the environment in the existing class rooms. • Provide additional class rooms where space is critical. • Ensure power, water supply and sanitation. • Post additional teachers wherever required. • Supply teaching aids, notebooks etc. • Provide incentives for kids to excel through prizes and scholarships. • Re-orient and re-train the staff. • Set quantified targets and measure performance at each stage and in each school. • Organize a strong library movement. • Provide PCs and multimedia content.

14. Core focus implementation: Work from within the system to enhance learning levels • Focus on motivational efforts • Provide essential inputs • Train, Guide and Empower schools • Implement cost-effective innovative ideas Apply proven management techniques: • Set quantifiable and measurable targets • Assess periodically against goals • Apply the ROI Concept • Implement Total Quality Management Sikshana’s growth from 2002 to 2007

15. Motivational efforts: Library expedition Rock climbing adventure Kids in Delhi School day Each School Has been given a minimum of one PC and a Note Book, Teachers do lesson planning on their own Note Books, All question papers for the examinations are set on their own PC ‘s by the Teachers

16. Phase I and II accomplishments: • Coverage reached 10,000 kids in 46 schools- Urban (P I) /Rural (P II)‏ • Significant increase in learning levels of the students • Results obtained with a sustainable input of Rs 35k per annum • Empowerment of schools taking roots • Communities take a fresh look at their schools with hope • First reverse migration seen from private schools on merit • Wider recognition for the Sikshana concepts from reputed Organizations • Scholarships through High School for talented kids • Sikshana is now among the top three such interventions in the State. Program expenses in School Library / Paper for Dictation 4000 Annual Prizes 2000 Spot Prizes 2000 School Functions 3000 Tours / Field Visits 5000 Teaching Aids 3000 Class Tests/ Examinations 4000 School Maintenance 1000 Induction of Para – Teachers 3000 Other Discretionary Efforts 3000 Total 30000 (Amount is Rupees/Annum) Application of Funds 2006 - 2007 Total Expenses 240,000* Number of Children Covered 9,500 Cost per Child 250 *Excludes scholarships for High School Education

17. Azim Premji Foundation: • Vision: • To significantly contribute to quality universal education as a foundation to a just, humane and equitable society. • Mission: • Catalyze a national movement for Universalisation of Elementary Education in India. • Achieve significant improvement in the quality of education as a sustained method for attracting and retaining children in the school • Work with existing government initiatives and create new ones to improve access, content and delivery of education. • Build active, sustainable partnerships with individuals, community at large, government and other organizations committed to the field of education to leverage the effort for optimum results. • Enable schools to guarantee learning • Develop world class human resources in the field of education

18. What can Asha (Dallas) do? • Lobby states to enact some kind of adoption program?

19. What can Asha (Dallas) do? 1.