Journal of Indian School of Political Economy

C. Upendranadh ¹

Affiliations
1 Policy Unit, Actionaid-India 3, Rest House Road, Bangalore-560001, IN

Abstract

This paper examines the priorities of the government for reform of the education sector in the context of structural adjustment programme. Growth of education in post-Independence India in terms of quantity and the expenditure pattern reveals that there is still an unfinished job in achieving minimum levels of education for all. The problematic issues identified are inadequate financing, uneven allocation of resources, high wastage, etc. An analysis of the data on education participation of population reveals that the poorer sections and females are deprived of education in the country. Current enrollment status also reveals that poorer sections of students are not in higher education levels in appreciable numbers. Corrective measures are necessary to protect the interests of the poor.

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C. Upendranadh ¹

Affiliations
1 Institute for Social and Economic Change, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore-560012, IN

Abstract

Evidence on wastage and non-participation at primary school level in the districts of Andhra Pradesh is presented, using retention ratios, non-participation rates, and work participation rates among children. Though there is an improvement in retention rates in 1980s, still many districts of the state have high incidence of educational wastage and non-participation. Results from micro level data show that in general the incidence of drop out and stagnation is high among girls, Harijans and backward districts compared to educationally advanced groups and regions. We assessed the linkages between educational wastage, non-participation and the socio economic indicators of households. Andhra Pradesh seems to have higher levels of non-participation in rural areas and among females. The work-participation rates (main workers) among children is also considerable in the districts of the state. A need to arrest these trends is imperative in order to achieve universalization of primary education.

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