Rajasthan Shiksha Karmi Project An overall appraisal

the problem of dysfunctional schools and the need for an alternative means of creatingand running a functional school. Community involved in selection of SK, providingsupport in enrolling children (focus on girls evident), day-to-day support andmonitoring. There was greater reliance on community support during the early years,now greater reliance on “systems” – management, training, supervision etc. Doesmainstreaming necessarily lead to less community participation?Project Structure:The Shiksha Karmi Project is being implemented by the Shiksha Karmi Board(SKB), an autonomous agency under the overall control of the state education minister.The SKB is closely supported by an NGO called Sandhan, which is involved in policylevel decision-making, development and implementation of training as also concurrentmonitoring and evaluation. The last function also involves a premier researchinstitute, the Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur (IDS). However, the role of theIDS has somewhat reduced over the years.During Phase II of the project, a decision was taken to decentralise the project.Currently, there are 9 Resource Units drawn from both NGOs and District Institutesfor Education and Training (DIET). At the block level, the structure comprises of asupervisor – Shiksha Karmi Sahayogi, the BDO and the Pradhan. Finally at thevillage level, there is a village education committee.In addition to this basic organisational structure, the project deploys a MahilaTask Force (MTF) to address the gender imbalance and to ensure greater gendersensitivity. More importantly, particularly during the second phase, significant areasof Shiksha Karmi Project functioning overlapped with Lok Jumbish, another largeproject supported by Sida. Till 1998 funds for building construction, school mapping,educational charts, school uniforms etc., (not provided for in the Shiksha KarmiProject) were met through Lok Jumbish. The Shiksha Karmi Sahyogi formed part ofthe Lok Jumbish cluster team. The current situation is however unclear.Of late, the World Bank supported District Primary Education Programme(DPEP) has been initiated in 19 of the 32 districts of the state. The Shiksha Karmi Projectthus has significant overlaps with both Lok Jumbish and DPEP. Overall, it now forms part of thelarger state strategy for UPE and works in collaboration with state functionaries, research institutionsand NGOs. Finally, after the passage of the 83rd constitutional amendment and the setting up of anelected Panchayat structure, the project has sought to develop links with elected representatives atdifferent levels.20 Rajasthan Shiksha Karmi Project An overall appraisal