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Backward and Forward Linkages That Strengthen Primary Education

Summary

This paper provides an overview of 10 case studies on backward and forward linkages that work to strengthen primary education. The case studies describe voluntary and governmental efforts that work to address the reasons that specific groups and communities stay away from education. Each of the examples chosen is rural, partly because the intensity of social barriers is highest in areas distanced from the mainstream; and partly because lack of proximity to centres of political power and visibility compound problems of low infrastructure and personnel. The report finds that "though the trends are positive, it is much too early to make any definitive statements."Conclusions and Recommendations:

  • literacy figures do not reveal the full picture. The 2001 headcount has generated a debate on the interlinkages between women's status, education, literacy and economic development. There are no easy answers and no one-to-one correlation
  • sex ratios are rapidly declining in prosperous regions where most of the children go to primary school. Many more girls are being pulled out of school in Tamil Nadu and Andhra (especially after class VI or VII) to work as wage labour in farms (picking cotton or vegetables) and in family enterprises
  • economic prosperity has improved educational access, especially for girls in not-so-poor and middle-income families. But the situation of girls from poor 'below-the-poverty-line' households is a cause for concern
  • documentation and dissemination of experiences to a wider audience, in a language that is not too academic or formal, could trigger some debate in the media and among ordinary citizens of the country

The 10 case studies included these projects and organisations:

  • Appropriate Education Program of The Concerned for Working Children (CWC)
  • Namma Bhoomi of The Concerned for Working Children (CWC)
  • CINI ASHA
  • CREDA
  • Pratham
  • Nali Kali in Mysore
  • Digantar
  • Agragamee (non-formal education centres)
  • Muktangan
  • DPEP Hardoi

Click here for paper in PDF format.

Source

Eldis


Placed on the Communication Initiative site July 17 2003
Last Updated July 18 2003


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