Rajasthan Shiksha Karmi Project An overall appraisal

Pathshalas played an important role in improving girls’ access to education. Theyaccount for 30.65% of the total number of girls enrolled; PPs account for only 7.18%of the enrolled boys… The most significant impact of enrolment has been in thetribal areas.” (IIM Ahmedabad, July 1998)Angan PathshalasResponding to the educational needs of girl children who are not in school, and who are engaged indomestic farm and non-farm work Angan Pathshalas were started in Shiksha Karmi Project in October1992. They were set up in areas where there were no formal schools or where there were no educationalfacilities for children. They are run primarily for girls in the 6–14 age group, but boys in veryremote areas are also admitted. These schools are run in the courtyard (Aangan) of the Shiksha Karmior in any other home. The primary aim of the Aangan Pathshalas is to promote girls’ education andreach out to girls who are not able to come to school. On significant feature is the involvement of thelocal people and their contribution by way of a space for the school and land – where necessary.Another significant factor is that the overall responsibility of running Aangan Pathshalas rests withNGOs in majority of cases.As of March 1998, 105 Aangan Pathshalas were functioning. There were 57 Shiksha Karmis (32women and 25 men). Out of 4023 children who were enrolled, 2201 were girls and 1822 were boys. Astudy done in 1997 revealed that the overall performance of the children was satisfactory – i.e. 53.9%of children scored above 48% marks in Hindi, Mathematics and Environmental Sciences.Source: Study of the working of Aangan Pathshalas, Shiksha Karmi Board,December 1993 and Academic Achievement of Children in Aangan Pathshalas– A Study; Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur March 1997.One of the main objectives of the project has been to improve the participation ofgirls and also enhance the pool of women teachers. However, despite setting upMahila Prashikshan Kendras, the number and proportion of women Shiksha Karmisremains low. This is also reflected in the proportion of girl students. Some improvementhas over time been affected in the gender balance through the Aangan Pathshalas,which were originally meant exclusively for girls, by introducing Mahila Sahyogis(to escort girls to school), by increasing the proportion of Mahila Shiksha KarmiSahyogi and through the intervention of the MTF.Status as of March 1998UnitAchievement1. District Covered 322. Blocks Covered 1403. Block/Unit 2004. Day Schools 26005. Prehar Pathshalas 43356. Upper Primary Schools 207. Aangan Pathshalas 1058. Shiksha Karmis 6085Male 5390Female 695Rajasthan Shiksha Karmi Project An overall appraisal23