Strengthening Education in Public Sector

Jyotsna Jha Centre for Budget and Policy Studies Bangalore, India December 2011

Why Public Education?

Education is a Human Right Education has significant individual, collective, societal and economic linkages Individual: Intrinsic and Developmental Collective: Identity and Voice Societal: Political, Social Change Economic, Developmental, Knowledge society Education is a quasi-public / Merit Good externalities

The Challenges of Public Education: Some Myths - 1

Myth 1: Access / participation no more an issue More than 8 million 6-14 year old still out of school Girls, dalits and adivasis over represented Never enrolled far outnumber drop-outs among out of school population (varied picture for states but Karnataka also has more than one lakh out of school population) (2009) Source: IMRB Survey
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The Challenges of Public Education: Some Myths - 2

Myth 2: School functioning no more an issue Average attendance rate of students 68.5% and 75.7% at primary and upper primary levels respectively For teachers, the average attendance rate 81.7% and 80.5% respectively in primary and upper primary schools Student attendance rates usually between 70% and 85% in most states; much lower in some (primary) Teacher attendance rates also usually between 70% and 85% in most states; much lower in some (primary) (2007) Source: EdCil Study (SSA)
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The Challenges of Public Education: Some Myths - 3

Myth 3 : Equality in education compromises quality (the tradeoff argument) If public education does not aspire to achieve equality goals, it loses the very justification, as a major goal of education is to promote equality Quality for few is not quality education; quality education for all presuppose achieving equality and quality together Equity measures, if understood and applied well, can enhance quality for all The Quality is Poor NO MYTH
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Public Education: The Real Challenge

Why do we have poor quality in public education? Because We Dont Care! - Low or no accountability - Low in priority - Low stakes
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Public Education: The Real Need Redefine quality What is Quality? Needs a more comprehensive definition and better understanding at all levels Define preconditions of quality
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Right to Education (RTE): A Big Hope!

Fundamental therefore Justiciable Right (6-14 year old) Defines the basic parameters for a school (Building, Teachers, School, Working Hours / Days, Library and other learning materials) Guides School/classroom environment, treatment of children and quality of teaching Outlines institutional arrangements (SMC, SCPCR, NCPCR) Brings for-profit schools under its purviews But Exclusion of 0-6 year group No overt reference to gender issues Silent about redressal mechanisms Lacks clarity on certain issues States for compliance rather than taking the challenge of making it a reality
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Strengthening Public Education: Pre-requisites

Enhanced Priority and Clear Accountability Widened stakeholders base Empowerment of all stakeholders (parents, communities, administration, teachers, teacher educators, ?)through enhanced information and knowledge base Clear Roadmap for strengthening all aspects that impact the delivery of public education Everyones responsibility- Dont excuse yourself
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Not Elementary Sector Alone

The issues are similar for Secondary and Tertiary Education Participation rates much lower / Inequalities much higher Self financed Private sector increasingly becoming more important poor regulatory mechanisms Quality remains an issue Important to realise that all three sectors elementary, secondary and tertiary are closely inter linked and interdependent; One cannot flourish without the other no either/or choice
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Thank you
jyotsna@cbps.in

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