National Sample Survey 64th Round (Expenditure in Education)

ChapterINTRODUCTION1.0.1 The National Sample Survey Office which came into existence in the year1950 under Government of India conducts multi subject integrated continuingsample survey programmes for collecting data on various aspects of the nationaleconomy required by different agencies of the Government both Central and State.These surveys are conducted in the form of rounds and covers all the importantsocio-economic aspects influencing the life of population in rural as well as urbanareas. Government of Kerala has been participating in this survey on a matchingsample basis and increased its participation by taking 50% additional samples from62 nd round onwards.1.0.2 This report is based on the major findings of 64 th round survey on‘Participation and Expenditure in Education conducted by Department of Economicsand Statistics during the period July 2007 to June 2008. Comprehensive data on thesame subject was last collected in 52 nd round during July 1995 to June 1996.1.0.3 Education generally refers to developing knowledge, skill or character ofindividuals through a process of learning such as self-study, attending formal orinformal educational institutions, etc. Aim of education must be in conformity withcherished national goals. It goes to the credit of Kerala that it has achieved almost allthe millennium development educational goals much ahead of time. Governmentspends substantial amounts on the creation as well as running of the educationalinfrastructure. However, for availing such facilities, individuals have to also incurexpenditure in the form of tuition fees, examination fees, charges for stationeries,books, etc. Though information is available on the expenditure incurred by thegovernments through budget documents, the data on expenditure by individuals have