Zilla Saksharata Samitis in Karnataka QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ... - PRC

! " # 

B.M. Ramesh 

S. Rajaram 

R.V. Deshpande 

Report prepared for 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi 

PRC Report No. 116 

August 2001

$ 

List of Tables 

Chapter 1 Introduction: Background and Study Design 

Background 

Objectives 

The Evaluation Design 

Questionnaires 

Training and fieldwork 

Sample coverage 

Chapter 2 RCH-IEC Activities: Proposed and Carried Out 

The Guidelines 

Preparation of the Project Proposal 

Sanctioning of the Project Proposals and Release of Funds 

Project Proposals 

RCH-IEC Activities 

Involvement of District Health Department in RCH-IEC Activities 

Fund Utilization and Account Keeping 

Chapter 3 Exposure to RCH-IEC Activities: Among Village Communities 

Exposure to RCH-IEC Activities 

Differentials by background characteristics 

Chapter 4 Summary and Conclusions 

Appendix A: Tables 

Appendix B: Questionnaires Used for Evaluation 

Appendix C: List of Persons Involved in Evaluation 

II 

EVALUATION OF RCH-IEC THROUGH ZSS IN KARNATAKA

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Table 1: Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC 

scheme by Davanagere, ZSS 


scheme by Chitradurga, ZSS 


scheme by Tumkur, ZSS 


scheme by Kolar, ZSS 


scheme by Belgaum, ZSS 

Table 6: Summary of item-wise expenditure by Davanagere ZSS under 

RCH-IEC scheme 

Table 7: Summary of item-wise expenditure by Chitradurga ZSS under 


Table 8: Summary of item-wise expenditure by Tumkur ZSS under RCH- 

IEC scheme 

Table 9: Summary of item-wise expenditure by Kolar ZSS under RCH-IEC 

scheme 

Table 10: Summary of item-wise expenditure by Belgaum ZSS under 


Table 11: Percentage of respondents exposed to RCH-IEC activities by 

district 

Table 12: Percentage distribution of respondents exposed to RCH-IEC 

activities by background characteristics, Davanagere district 


activities by background characteristics, Chitradurga district 


activities by background characteristics, Tumkur district 


activities by background characteristics, Kolar district 


activities by background characteristics, Belgaum district 

III 


Chapter 

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# 

The Background and Study Design 

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The focus of the Indian family welfare programme has undergone a paradigm shift 

following the recommendations of the International Conference on Population and 

Development (ICPD) convened in Cairo in September 1994. The ICPD recommended that 

the family planning programme should respect the reproductive rights of individuals in 

general and women in particular, and should aim at narrowing the gender inequalities. It 

further advocated that the programme should aim at facilitating the couples to have their 

children as they desire in timing and number, help mothers to go through pregnancy and 

child birth safely so that the outcome of pregnancy is successful in terms of maternal and 

infant survival and well-being; and ensure that couples are able to have sexual relations free 

of fear of pregnancy and of contracting diseases. The current national Health and Family 

Welfare programme, renamed as Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme, is an 

unification of related programmes of Child Survival and Safe Motherhood (CSSM) initiated 

during 1992-93. 

Under this new approach, the programme intends to take into account the community's 

needs and thus aims at improving the quality of services instead of mere fulfilment of 

targets. As such, there are no targets for various services, the grass-root level workers are 

expected to assess the needs of the community, in consultation with the community, and 

based on this need assessment, formulate their own goals for health and family welfare 

activities in the community. This community need based programme includes various 

aspects of RCH services namely, family planning, child survival and safe motherhood, and 

RTI/STI and AIDS. Additionally, the approach intends to achieve increased levels of male 

participation. 

Reproductive and child health on the one hand and contraception on the other are both 

complementary mechanisms for achieving population stabilisation. The former ensures 

good health of mother/children and creates assurance about the longevity of the mother and 

the child, which prompts couples to desire a smaller family. The latter, on the other hand, 

enables the couples to avoid unwanted pregnancies and to limit their family size. The 

national programme has been promoting these two aspects of population stabilisation 

through the provision of reproductive and child health and family planning services at the 

grass-root level and generating demand for these services via a set of Information, Education

and Communication (IEC) programme along with other measures related to socio-economic 

development and women's empowerment. 

Effectiveness of such persuasive effort with the people depends, to a large degree, on the 

educational status of the couple, particularly the wife. India being one of the least literate 

societies in the world, it is obviously important to design these IEC activities to make them 

relevant to the rural and illiterate masses. The IEC efforts under the national programme, so 

far, have been largely using the electronic and print media which have their inherent 

limitations of not being effective in reaching a large segment of our population – the rural, 

illiterate and poor. The IEC programmes, it is felt, which used to be designed centrally or at 

the state-level often do not register forcefully with the people in rural areas because of the 

difference in syntax and idiom. Further, the messages often do not reach the bottom 20-30% 

of the disadvantaged families who do not have access to such electronic or print media. 

However, their participation in RCH is crucial for the success of the programme. If local 

talent is mobilised for promoting IEC activities related to RCH, the effectiveness of 

communicating the messages would in all probability improve. It is expected that such effort 

would also lead to a greater involvement of people in population stabilisation efforts. 

Since the educational/literacy status of families, particularly of women has a strong bearing 

on their response for RCH/population control, it is sensible to have a co-ordinated effort for 

IEC for both literacy and population control. Also in the past, co-ordination of this nature 

within the district has remained nominal. Although there is a post of a District Health 

Education Officer in most states, the co-ordination between the IEC activities of different 

departments to promote RCH has been quite non-existent at the district level. Hence, the 

Government of India felt the need for an united effort for mass campaign and mobilisation 

to achieve both literacy and population stabilisation. Accordingly, in consultation with the 

Department of Education, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare involved the Zilla 

Saksharata Samitis (ZSS) for carrying out the IEC activities for Reproductive and Child 

Health/population control. It is felt that the ZSSs which have succeeded in mobilising the 

mass for literacy movement would also be able to successfully promote the cause of RCH 

and population stabilisation. It is envisaged that the ZSSs could utilise resource persons and 

institutions within the district who could design and deliver programmes in towns and 

villages of the district throughout the year using the syntax and idioms easily understandable 

to local population. The IEC materials which have the local images and vocabulary and the 

local modes of mass appeal would reach the rural mass more effectively. 

In 1998, the guidelines for project proposals were prepared by the Department of Family 

Welfare and sent to the respective District Collectors/Deputy Commissioners for preparing 

the project proposals in consultation with the respective District Health Officers and other 

medical specialists with Zilla Saksharata Samitis. The project proposal received from each 

district was scrutinised by the Department of Family Welfare in consultation with the 

National Literacy Mission and sanctioned the projects to certain districts with suggested 

modifications. The scheme – Promotion of RCH-IEC Activities through Zilla Saksharata 

Samitis – is in operation in 216 districts of the country, at various phases of implementation. 

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After almost one year of sanctioning the scheme and funds to several districts, and before 

deciding to expand the scheme to other districts, the Department of Family Welfare decided 

to evaluate the progress made with respect to the efforts of the ZSS towards creating the 

awareness on various RCH issues. Since a substantial amount of material and manpower has 

been invested in the scheme, it is important to evaluate the organization and functioning of 

the scheme. An evaluation of the scheme in selected districts in 6 states – Assam, Gujarat, 

Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh – has been commissioned to 

the Population Research Centres. The Population Research Centre, JSS Institute of 

Economic Research, Dharwad is assigned the evaluation of the scheme in five districts of 

Karnataka – Belgaum, Davangere, Chitradurga, Kolar, and Tumkur. This report presents 

the consolidated report of the evaluation in these five districts. 

The main objective of this evaluation is to ascertain the effectiveness of the implementation 

of the approved scheme in five districts of Karnataka – Davanagere, Chitradurga, Tumkur, 

Kolar and Belgaum districts and its impact on the target group. Specifically, the study 

includes an assessment of: 

1. Time gap between the sanction of funds by the Union Ministry of Health and Family 

Welfare (MOHFW) and the receipt of the same by the ZSS and the actual launching of 

the scheme; 

2. Actual activities performed as against the approved activities under the scheme; 

3. The use of funds for various activities under the scheme as well as the manner in which 

accounts of expenditure have been maintained; 

4. Periodicity of meetings of various ZSS units for planning and monitoring the 

implementation of the scheme; 

5. The degree to which the scheme has been able to complement and co-ordinate with the 

efforts of IEC units within the District Health Education Unit; 

6. The extent to which the targeted population, particularly the Panchayati Raj Institutions 

and other village-level bodies have become aware of the new scheme and issues related 

to RCH/population stabilisation; 

7. The extent to which the scheme has been able to influence the general population within 

the community in terms of their knowledge and attitude towards issues related to 

RCH/population stabilisation; and 

8. The strengths and shortcomings of the functioning of the scheme and suggested 

corrective measures to improve the same. 

3 

! 

The evaluation design largely follows the guidelines given by the Ministry of Health and 

Family Welfare, New Delhi for the same. Accordingly, the evaluation uses the information 

collected from various categories of the personnel involved in planning and implementation 

of the scheme at different levels (for example: ZSS functionaries at the District, Taluka and 


Village levels as well as health functionaries at these levels) as well as the beneficiaries at 

the community level. The study adopts both qualitative and quantitative methods of data 

collection such as in-depth interviews, structured interviews, and content analysis of selected 

IEC materials. 

At the district level, in-depth interviews were conducted with two ZSS functionaries 

(Deputy Commissioner and Secretary, Zilla Saksharata Samiti) as well as two officials from 

the Office of the District Health and Family Welfare Officer (RCH Officer and District 

Health Education Officer). 

At the Taluka level, two Taluka Saksharata Samiti (TSS) functionaries (Taluka Co-ordinator 

and Tahasildar/Executive Officer of Taluka Panchayat) as well as the Taluka Medical 

Officer were interviewed. 

In order to get information from ZSS functionaries, health personnel and community 

members at the village level, a purposive sample of 12 villages was selected in each district, 

including 10 villages where the activities under the scheme were conducted as per the 

information from the Secretary, ZSS, and two villages where no IEC activity under the 

scheme was carried out. In Kolar district, however, 13 villages were selected, including 11 

villages where IEC activities under the scheme were carried out. Since the selection of 

villages within the Taluka was random, selected villages include those from remote areas 

also. 

Within each selected village, interviews were conducted with two Village Saksharata Samiti 

(VSS) functionaries (Village Co-ordinator and Panchayat Chairman/Vice-Chairman), two 

persons from the local Primary Health Centre/Subcentre (Medical 

Officer/ANM/BHE/LHV), 5 opinion leaders and 10 other community members in the age 

group 15-34 1 . 

The following procedure was adopted for the selection of 10 community members: a list of 

all the major lanes/streets in the village are obtained from the villagers, five such 

lanes/streets are selected randomly. From the selected lane/street, one adult male and one 

adult female in the age group 15-34 were selected. It was decided to interview only the usual 

residents of the household and not to interview both the male and female from the same 

household. Similarly, 5 opinion leaders were selected randomly from a list of Gram 

Panchayat members, including female members, religious leaders, school teacher, 

Anganwadi workers, political leaders, informal leaders, shop owners, social workers, local 

resource persons etc. The study team in consultation with the Gram Panchayat officials/ or 

villagers prepared the list. 

In addition, the study reviewed the existing records (correspondence, activity reports and 

accounts) and the IEC materials developed under the scheme. 

1 During the pre-testing we found that it is very difficult to get even 5 opinion leaders at village level. Hence, the number 

of opinion leaders to be interviewed was reduced to 5 as against 10 as per the Ministry's guidelines. 

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Before finalising the study design, the study team visited ZSS, Belgaum on 25 August, 2000 

to know about the organization, functioning and availability of various records related to the 

scheme in the District. The draft questionnaires for various functionaries as well as for the 

opinion leaders and community members were also discussed with the ZSS and health 

functionaries. Based on the discussion, the study design was finalised and appropriate 

modifications were made in the draft questionnaires. The questionnaires for the opinion 

leaders and community members were also pretested on 12 September, 2000 in a village in 

Davangere district. These questionnaires were finalised following the results of the pretest. 

One questionnaire each for the different types of respondents mentioned above are used for 

the interviews. A brief description of the content of questionnaires that were used in the 

study is given below. 

Questionnaire for the ZSS functionary: This questionnaire collected information on specific 

activities carried out under the RCH/IEC scheme by the ZSS/TSS/VSS during the project 

period. The information collected include: the nature of activity, area of coverage, specific 

locations where the activity was conducted, the nature and number of beneficiaries, topics 

covered/discussed, amount spent, as well as the date/s of the activity. If an activity which 

was initially proposed under the scheme was not mentioned by the functionary, specific 

questions related to the omitted item was also asked. In addition, detailed information was 

collected on the organization and implementation of the scheme, co-ordination with the 

District Health officials, and utilisation of funds, bottle-necks in the implementation of the 

scheme if any, and the suggested recommendations. 

Questionnaire for the Health staff: This questionnaire gathered information on the 

involvement of the district health and IEC officials in the planning and implementation of 

the scheme. The questionnaire also covered their perception regarding the role of ZSS in 

promoting the RCH activities, technical guidance provided, and the way in which the IEC 

activities carried out by the ZSS are different from the routine IEC activities of the District 

Health and Family Welfare Office. 

Questionnaire for the Opinion Leaders/Community members: The questionnaire collected 

information on exposure to and participation in any RCH/IEC activities, and for each 

activity, information on nature of activity, place, duration, topics covered, RCH messages 

received, and messages spread to others. In addition, a set of objective-type questions on the 

knowledge and attitude towards selected RCH issues were canvassed to the opinion 

leaders/community members. 

5 

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The training of the field staff was organised at Population Research Centre, Dharwad for 

two days on 16 and 18 September, 2000. The training was carried out by the Director of the 


Centre and Co-ordinators of the evaluation. Seven staff members of the PRC were trained 

and six were involved during the field work. The field work was carried out by two teams, 

each team consisting of three interviewers and one Co-ordinator. The Co-ordinators 

interviewed the Taluka-level Saksharata Samiti and health functionaries, one interviewer 

covered the village-level Saksharata Samiti and health functionaries, and the remaining two 

interviewers interviewed the selected community members and opinion leaders. 

Before the starting of fieldwork in any district, the field teams were briefed afresh about the 

study and the experiences and problems of the previous field work were reviewed. 

The dates for data collection in the selected districts are as follows: 

6 

District Dates of fieldwork 

1. Davanagere 

2. Chitradurga 

3. Tumkur 

4. Kolar 

5. Belgaum 

20-26 September, 2000 

10-15 October, 2000 

19-24 December, 2000 

26 December, 2000 to 2 January, 2001 

28 May to 3 June, 2001 

In Davanagere district, the study covered, at the district level, two ZSS functionaries 

(Deputy Commissioner and, Secretary-ZSS) and two health officials (RCH officer and 

DHEO). At the taluka-level, 12 Taluka Saksharata Samiti functionaries (Taluka co-ordinator 

and Tahasildar/ Executive Officer of the Taluka Panchayat) and 7 health officials (6 Taluka 

Medical Officers and 1 Block Health Educator) were interviewed. At the village-level, 24 

Village Saksharata Samiti functionaries (co-ordinators and Grama Panchayat 

Chairman/Secretary) and 23 health functionaries (Medical Officers or BHE/LHV/ANM) 

were covered. In addition, 58 opinion leaders and 122 community members were 

interviewed from the 12 selected villages. 

In Chitradurga district, the study covered, at the district level, two ZSS functionaries 

(Deputy Commissioner and, Secretary-ZSS). At the Taluka-level, 10 Taluka Saksharata 

Samiti functionaries (Taluka co-ordinator and Tahasildar/ Executive Officer of the Taluka 

Panchayat) and 6 Taluka Medical Officers were interviewed. At the village-level, 20 Village 

Saksharata Samiti functionaries (co-ordinators and Gram Panchayat Chairman/Vice 




In Tumkur district, the study covered, at the district level, two ZSS functionaries (Deputy 

Commissioner and, Secretary-ZSS). At the taluka-level, 13 Taluka Saksharata Samiti 

functionaries (Taluka co-ordinator and Tahasildar/ Executive Officer of the Taluka 



Saksharata Samiti functionaries (co-ordinators and Gram Panchayat Chairman/Vice 




In Kolar district, the study covered, at the district level, two ZSS functionaries (Deputy 

Commissioner and, Secretary-ZSS). At the taluka-level, 13 Taluka Saksharata Samiti 

functionaries (Taluka co-ordinator and Tahasildar/ Executive Officer of the Taluka 

Panchayat) and 2 Taluka Medical Officers were interviewed. Since, the data collection was 

carried out at the end of the year, the Co-ordinators could not meet many Taluka Medical 

Officers, but interviewed six paramedical staff who involved in this scheme. At the villagelevel, 

20 Village Saksharata Samiti functionaries (co-ordinators and Gram Panchayat 

Chairman/Vice Chairman/Secretary) and 13 health functionaries (Medical Officers or 

BHE/LHV/ANM) were covered. In addition, 61 opinion leaders and 130 community 

members were interviewed from the 13 selected villages. 

In Belgaum district, the study covered, at the district level, a ZSS functionary (Secretary- 

ZSS), two health functionaries (DHO and DHEO). At the taluka-level, 17 Taluka Saksharata 

Samiti functionaries (Taluka co-ordinator and Tahasildar/ Executive Officer of the Taluka 


Saksharata Samiti functionaries (co-ordinators and Grama Panchayat Chairman/Vice 




Although almost all the functionaries at all levels could be covered in this evaluation study, 

it is important to note the problems faced while interviewing them. For instance, the meeting 

with the higher officials in the District or Taluka was sometimes delayed because of their 

engagements despite obtaining an appointment in advance. In addition, the presence of 

others during the interview could not be avoided by the study team thus disturbing the flow 

of the interview as well as biasing the response of the concerned official. Similarly, many of 

the officials interviewed are only the nominal heads and some of them have joined only 

recently and hence could not give the required information about the scheme. Since these 

officials are under great pressure to attend to various other administrative works, sometimes 

more urgent, it has been very difficult for them to spare longer time for the discussion 

related to ZSS activities under the scheme. 

7 


, 

Proposed and Carried Out 

In order to utilise Zilla Saksharata Samitis which have succeeded in mobilising the mass for 

the literacy movement for promoting awareness and encourage the participation of the 

community in planning and implementation of various RCH programmes, the Secretary, 

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi wrote a letter on 

25, May 1998 to the Deputy Commissioners seeking the involvement of ZSS and preparing 

project proposals for promoting IEC for various RCH issues. 

In reply to this letter, few project proposals were received by Department of Family 

Welfare, which did not contain all the necessary details to enable them to sanction. Thus, the 

Department stipulated some guidelines for preparing the project proposals and referred them 

back to the District Collectors on 24 September 1998, stating that the revised/new proposals 

should reach the Department within the next few weeks so that the sanction can be made 

quickly and the implementation of the IEC activities in the district can begin within the next 

2-3 months. 

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Chapter 

. 

The guidelines thus provided by the Department largely discussed three points for 

consideration while preparing the project proposals invited for two year periods from the 

year 1998: content, method and norms. 

The MOHFW suggested the following topics to be covered/addressed in the proposed IEC 

activities: 

1. Problems of having a large population in relation to education, nutrition, economic 

share, employment and quality of life for individual family members. And also what it 

means for environment, employment etc. in the community. 

2. Various methods of contraception and consequences of using or not using each. When to 

use spacing methods and when to use terminal methods. 

8 


3. Nutritional status of children, adolescents and women. Its effect on mental development, 

body development and its consequences for pregnant women. 

4. Anaemia - its prevalence and consequences for children, adolescents and women. 

5. Diarrhoea control and role of Oral Rehydration Solution. 

6. Vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination. Importance of taking all doses. 

7. Vitamin-A and Iron and Folic Acid supplementation and their importance. 

8. Acute Respiratory Infection - its prevalence and consequences. 

9. Age at marriage. 

10. Birth weight of children - consequences for low birth weight babies. 

11. Importance of antenatal checks ups, tetanus immunization and post-natal check ups, 

anaemia treatment and information regarding complicated pregnancies. 

12. Maternal mortality situation - importance of institutional deliveries. How life of mother 

and children is more valuable. 

/ # 

0 

The guidelines suggested the ZSS to propose IEC activities covering the above themes in 

the form of Kalajatha, folk performances, posters and rallies in towns and villages and 

workshops for orienting and sensitising opinion leaders, literacy workers, social activists etc. 

The Department also stipulated the following norms that should be kept in mind while 

formulating the proposals: 

1. Training of Government staff and payment of honorarium to them should not be a part 

of the project. 

2. Surveys for determining status of family welfare indicators are not permitted. Routine 

activities such as advertisements in newspapers, film shows and video making should be 

avoided. 

3. Purchase of capital assets such as vehicles, VCR, TV, office furniture etc. will not be 

allowed. 

4. The expenditure on supervision etc. should not exceed 10% of the annual amount. 

9 

) 

The project proposals in all districts should have been prepared by the ZSSs, in consultation 

with the respective District Health Officers. However, the ZSS Davanagere did not seek any 

assistance from the District Health Officer or District Health Education Officer for the 

preparation of the project proposal. The project proposal was prepared mainly by the ZSS 

Secretary (who was also in charge of the Chitradurga ZSS at that time) using the similar 

proposals from the neighboring districts of Bellaray and Shimoga. The ZSS, Davanagere 

submitted its project proposal to the Ministry on 6 January, 1999 – almost 7 months after 

receiving the first call for proposals and 3 months after receiving the second communication 

regarding the guidelines. 


In Kolar district, on the other hand, the project proposal was prepared entirely by the office 

of the District Health Officer, and the Secretary ZSS had not even seen the proposal until the 

sanctioning letter from MOHFW was received. It was reported by the Secretary, Kolar ZSS 

that since the subject matter is related to health, the then Deputy Commissioner, Kolar 

forwarded the letter from the MOHFW (dated 25, May 1998) to District Health Officer 

(DHO) and asked to take necessary action. Accordingly, the DHO prepared the project 

proposal and submitted the proposal on 18 July, 1998 directly to the MOHFW (a copy was 

submitted to the DC's Office). 

It is important to note that in Kolar the project proposal was prepared by an agency (DHO), 

but was executed by another agency (ZSS). The original project proposal that was submitted 

to the MOHFW ignored the basic philosophy of involving ZSS in promoting RCH-IEC 

activities, which advocates propagating RCH messages through folk forms using local 

themes, ideas, talent etc. The project proposal, instead, looks more like the regular IEC 

activities that are routinely organized by the District Health Department 

The proposal for the Tumkur ZSS was prepared by the Secretary, DAEO (District Adult 

Education Officer) and a district coordinator after discussion with Additional Director, 

RCH, Bangalore. The draft proposal was shown to district health officials for comments. 

Based on their comments the proposal was finalized. The ZSS, Tumkur submitted its 

project proposal to the Ministry on 14 August 1998 – 2 months after the call for 

proposals. 

It is reported by the present ZSS Secretary Chitradurga that the project proposal for the 

district was prepared based on the experience during a workshop organised by State 

Resource Centre (SRC), Mysore. The actual proposal was prepared with the help of the then 

Assistant Director, Women and Child Development and the District Health Education 

Officer, Chitradurga. The ZSS, Chitradurga submitted its project proposal to the Ministry 

on 8 January, 1999 – almost 7 months after the first call for proposals and 3 months after the 

second communication regarding the guidelines. 

The Secretary ZSS of Belgaum reported that since he was not very familiar with the subject 

matter, he requested the District Health Officer to depute one IEC officer for preparing the 

project proposal. The proposal was prepared by the Secretary with the help of IEC officer, 

Belgaum. The ZSS, Belgaum submitted its project proposal to the Ministry on 28 August, 

1998 – almost 3 months after the call for proposals. 

In general, the proposal submitted to and approved by the MOHFW did not include any 

district-specific content or activity, although the guidelines for the scheme suggested the 

same. 

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Following is the description of the different dates on which – the MOHFW sent the request 

for proposals, the project proposals were submitted to the MOHFW, the projects were 

sanctioned to the ZSS, and the funds received by the ZSS. 

Davanagere District 

The ZSS, Davanagere submitted its project proposal to the Ministry on 6 January, 1999 – 

almost 7 months after receiving the first call for proposals and 3 months after receiving the 

second communication regarding the guidelines. The discussion with the ZSS Secretary 

revealed that this delay in submitting the proposal was mainly due to the following: 

1. There was a confusion as to where to send the project proposal. The ZSS was asked 

initially to send the proposal to Directorate of Mass Education (DME), Bangalore, who 

will, in turn, collect the proposals from all the ZSS and forward it to MOHFW. 

However, few months after sending the proposal to DME, the Davanagere ZSS received 

a reminder from MOHFW to submit the proposal, upon which the proposal was sent 

directly to MOHFW. 

2. The Davanagere ZSS was not very much familiar with the preparation of project 

proposal of the kind that was requested by the MOHFW. The project proposal for 

Davanagere was prepared after consulting similar proposals prepared by other ZSSs, 

including the ZSS in Shimoga and Bellary districts. 

The ZSS, Davanagere revised its original proposal and submitted it to the MOHFW. 

Following the approval of the revised proposal, an amount of Rs. 3,50,000 was released to 

Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of Karnataka vide letter dated 24 August, 1999 

and the same was communicated to the District Collector through the letter dated 23 

September, 1999. However the funds for the scheme was released to the ZSS only on 11 

November, 1999 and the amount was received on 7 December, 1999. Thus, the time gap 

between the sanction of the fund at the central level and receipt of the same by the ZSS is 

about 3 months. The scheme was actually launched in district Davanagere on 14 February, 

2000 – two months after the receipt of the funds. 

Chitradurga District 

The ZSS, Chitradurga had not received any communication either from MOHFW, New 

Delhi or from DHS, Bangalore to submit the proposals on RCH-IEC activities. However, 

since the Secretary for both Davanagere and Chitradurga ZSSs were the same, proposals 

were submitted for both the districts on 8 January, 1999. 

The proposal submitted by the Chitradurga ZSS was approved with little modification and 

an amount of Rs. 450,000 was released to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of 

Karnataka vide letter dated 31 March, 1999 and the same was communicated to the District 

Collector. However the funds for the scheme was released to the ZSS on 22 September, 


1999 and the amount was received only on 1 January, 2000. Thus, the time gap between the 

sanction of the fund at the central level and receipt of the same by the ZSS is about 9 

months. The scheme was actually launched in Chitradurga district on 3 December, 1999 – 

before receiving the funds. 

As there was a delay in receiving the funds from the Secretary (Family Welfare), 

Government of Karnataka, the ZSS used Rs. 450,000 from funds it had received for the 

Post-Literacy Campaign, based on the decision of its Executive Committee which met on 30 

June, 1999. This amount drawn on 21 July, 1999 was reimbursed to the PLC account on 1 

January, 2000, after receiving the funds for RCH-IEC activities. Thus the Chitradurga ZSS 

could start the RCH-IEC activities even before receiving the funds for the scheme. 

Tumkur District 

The ZSS, Tumkur prepared its project proposal during June-July, 1998 and submitted to 

the Ministry on 14 August, 1998 - two months after the call for proposals. 

The ZSS Tumkur received a letter dated 23 August, 1999 from the Joint Secretary, 

MOHFW informing that the proposal has been sanctioned. However, the letter did neither 

mention the amount sanctioned nor send the specific activities that are approved under the 

scheme. Subsequently, the ZSS received a letter from Additional Director, Bangalore, on 12 

October, 1999 informing that Rs. 433,000 is sanctioned to ZSS for the project. However, the 

funds for the scheme were received by the ZSS on 3 January, 2000. As per the 

communication to the evaluation team from the MOHFW, the Department of Family 

Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi had released an amount of Rs. 

433,900 in January, 1999 to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of Karnataka for 

carrying out RCH-IEC activities in Tumkur District through the ZSS Thus, the time gap 

between the sanction of the fund from the centre and the receipt of the same by the ZSS is 

about 12 months. The scheme was implemented in Tumkur district on 11 October, 1999 – 

before receiving the funds. 

Kolar District 

The ZSS, Kolar received a letter from MOHFW on 12 February, 1999 informing that the 

project has been sanctioned and asked the ZSS to contact the Secretary, Government of 

Karnataka for release of an amount Rs. 416,300. Thereupon ZSS received the amount from 

Government of Karnataka on 16 November, 1999. Thus, the time gap between the sanction 

of the fund at the central level and receipt of the same by the ZSS is about 8 months. The 

scheme was launched in Kolar district on 15 December, 1999 – after receiving the funds. 

Belgaum District 

The ZSS, Belgaum submitted its project proposal to the Ministry on 28 August, 1998 – 

almost 3 months after the call for proposals. 

12 


) 

The proposal submitted by the Belgaum ZSS was approved with little modification and an 

amount of Rs. 416,000 was released to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of 

Karnataka vide letter dated 20 January, 1999 and the same was communicated to the District 

Collector. However the Government of Karnataka did not inform the ZSS, Belgaum 

regarding the sanctioning and release of funds for the scheme. The ZSS, Belgaum received 

the funds from the Government of Karnataka in February, 2000. Thus the time gap between 

the sanction of the fund at the central level and the receipt of the same by the ZSS is about 

12 months. 

The project proposals submitted by the ZSSs varied in terms of the activities, target 

groups, and the content. Both the guidelines and the proposals sanctioned for the ZSSs do 

not indicate, in detail, the operationalization of the proposed IEC activities. For instance, the 

guidelines for the preparation of the proposal provide, in detail, the various subject matter 

that should be included in the IEC activities but do not reveal how these contents should 

actually be incorporated in specific activities such as Kalajatha, folk songs etc. Similarly, the 

proposals did not mention specifically, with respect to the orientation and training 

programmes, the topics to be covered, the resource persons to be used and how the trained 

persons will be utilised subsequently in the scheme. The proposals were also silent about the 

number of street plays and folk songs to be developed. It does not provide the details 

regarding the number of troupes and number of artists per troupe and the level at which 

these performances are to be organised. 

Following is a brief description of the activities that were proposed by the ZSS: 


The project proposal submitted by the Davanagere ZSS envisages the implementation of the 

RCH-IEC activities through the local teams consisting of Preraka/Anganawadi 

worker/ANM as Co-ordinators and the members of the local Mahila/Yuvak/Yuvati 

Mandals, elected representatives of Gram Panchayats and local school teachers and village 

contact persons as members. 

The IEC activities are proposed to be carried out mainly through posters, wall writings, 

street plays, folksongs, discussions/debates/essay-writing/quiz/seminar/workshop etc. 

involving various target groups at the Taluka/ Gram Panchayat/Village levels. The proposal 

also included a component of training of functionaries – local team implementing the 

scheme, folk artists/individuals/troupes, and officers and NGOs involved in the programme. 

More specifically, the Davanagere ZSS proposed a total of 8 different activities, to be 

organized at the District, Taluka and village levels: 

1. Orientation workshops for officials/NGOs, 1 to be organized at the district level and 7 at 

the Taluka level 

13 


2. Material Development Workshop, one each to develop posters, folk-songs, and street 

plays, to be organized by the ZSS at the district level 

3. Street plays – 100 performances 

4. Folk songs – 100 performances 

5. Posters – about 10,000 posters to be displayed 

6. Wall-writing – 500 in number 

7. Seminars/Workshops at Taluka, Panchayat and village levels – a total of 240 workshops 

to be organized 

8. District-level workshops – a total of five – involving elected representatives, 

representatives of the NGOs, women leaders, journalists and literacy workers. 

A review of the communication between MOHFW and the Davanagere ZSS reveals that 

although the MOHFW observed certain information-gaps and suggested a revision of the 

proposal, the revised proposal did not address all the clarifications sought. However, the 

proposal of Davanagere ZSS was ultimately sanctioned without obtaining the necessary 

clarifications. 

Chitradurga district 

The project proposal submitted by the Chitradurga ZSS (which is very much similar to the 

project proposal submitted by the Davanagere ZSS) envisages the implementation of the 

RCH-IEC activities through the local teams consisting of Preraka/Anganwadi worker/ANM 

as Co-ordinators and the members of the local Mahila/Yuvak/Yuvati Mandals, elected 

representatives of Gram Panchayats and local school teachers and village contact persons as 

members. 

The IEC activities are proposed to be carried out mainly through posters, wall writings, 

street plays, folksongs, discussions/debates/essay-writing/quiz/seminar/workshop etc. 

involving various target groups at the Taluka/Gram Panchayat/Village levels. The proposal 

also included a component of training of functionaries – local team implementing the 

scheme, folk artists/individuals/troupes, and officers and NGOs involved in the programme. 

More specifically, the Chitradurga ZSS proposed a total of 8 different activities, to be 

organized at the District, Taluka and village levels: 

1. Orientation workshops for officials/NGOs, 1 to be organized at the district level and 7 at 

the Taluka level 

2. Material Development Workshop, one each to develop posters, folk-songs, and street 

plays, to be organized by the ZSS at the district level 

3. Street plays – 100 performances 

4. Folk songs – 100 performances 

5. Posters – about 10,000 posters to be printed and displayed 

6. Wall-writing – 500 in number 

7. Seminars/Workshops at Taluka, Panchayat and village levels – a total of 240 workshops 

to be organized – involving PRI representatives, literacy volunteers, women leaders, 

NGO and neo-literates 

14 


8. District-level workshops – a total of five – involving PRI representatives, literacy 

workers, women leaders, NGO and journalists. 


The project proposal submitted by the Tumkur ZSS envisages the implementation of the 

RCH-IEC activities through District, Taluka and Panchayat level Co-ordinators besides 

involving about 30,000 volunteers who had worked during TLC and nearly 6,000 volunteers 

of PLC. 

The IEC activities are proposed to be carried out mainly through street plays, songs and skits 

in all the rural parts of the district, display of posters, wall writings, organising 

debates/essay-competitions separately for high school, pre-university and university students 

and orientation training programmes for youths, men parlour workers and adolescent girls at 

village level. More specifically, the Tumkur ZSS proposed a total of 11 different activities, 

to be organised at the District, Taluka and village levels: 

1. Inauguration function 

2. Workshop for Kalajatha artists at district and Taluka level 

3. Kalajatha performances in all major jathras (fairs), festivals etc. at Taluka level 

4. One-day orientation programme for 50 youths on sex education at Taluka level 

5. One-day orientation programme for 25 men parlour workers at Taluka level 

6. One-day orientation programme for 50 adolescent girls at Taluka level 

7. Orientation training camps for Neo-literates 

8. A total of 500 Convention of Eligible Couples at Panchayat level 

9. Wall writings – 10,000 

10. Printing of 10,000 hand-bills 

11. Essay writing, debates etc at School/College/ Taluka/ District level. 

After reviewing the proposal from the ZSS-Tumkur, MOHFW reduced the number of 

conventions of eligible couples at Panchayat level from 500 to 200, and the number of wallwritings 

from 10,000 to 5000. The MOHFW did not sanction the printing of 10,000 hand 

bills. 

The project proposal submitted to MOHFW is very elaborate and has 4 sections. The 

proposal contains the profile of the district, background, objectives of the project, activities 

and strategies for implementation of activities. Further, for each proposed activity - the 

importance of the activity, purpose, target group to be included, number to be organised, at 

what level the activity will be conducted, and the topics to be covered – are clarified in the 

proposal. However, the proposal did not mention specifically, with respect to the orientation 

training programmes, the resource persons to be used and how the trained persons will be 

utilised subsequently in the scheme. The proposal was silent about the number of street 

plays, folk songs and skits to be developed. 

The ZSS Tumkur has received a letter dated 23 August, 1999 from the Jt. Secretary, 

MOHFW informing that the proposal has been sanctioned. However, the letter did neither 

15 


mention the amount sanctioned nor send the specific activities that are approved under the 

scheme. 

In the same letter, the Tumkur ZSS was asked to submit the detailed action plan for RCH- 

IEC activities in general and for the Pulse Polio Immunisation (PPI) effort in particular. 

Since this letter did not mention the specific activities sanctioned and instead asked for an 

action plan for RCH-IEC activities in general and PPI in particular, the Tumkur ZSS 

Secretary thought it necessary to modify the original proposal, however, keeping the total 

cost of the project the same. Subsequently, based on this letter from the Jt. Secretary and the 

decision of the RCH sub-committee, the original proposal submitted to the MOHFW was 

modified, in consultation with the DHO, and an action plan was prepared to include IEC 

programmes for PPI. The draft action plan was put before the Executive Committee of ZSS 

on 29 October, 1999 and was finalised. However, this revised action plan was not sent to the 

MOHFW, for its approval. Thus no written or oral permission was obtained from the 

MOHFW for change in the action plan. 

The revised action plan included 7 activities, which are proposed to be organised at district, 

Taluka and village levels under the RCH-IEC scheme. They are: 

1. One-day workshop for 1000 literacy volunteers covering ten Talukas 

2. 100 Kalajatha (folk songs, street plays and awareness songs) performances covering ten 

Talukas 

3. Programme for adolescent girls in 500 institutions 

4. Taluka-level competition for pre-university and university students 

5. Taluka-level programme for men parlour workers – about 300 to be covered 

6. Printing of handbills 

7. PPI programme 

The revised action plan is not as much detailed as the original proposal was, and did not 

include many of the activities earlier proposed to and sanctioned by the MOHFW. The 

activities which are not included in the revised action plan are: 

- orientation training programme for neo-literates 

- convention of eligible couples at panchayat level 

- kalajatha workshop at district and taluka level 

- wall writings, and 

- inaugural function 

The ZSS-Tumkur has carried out RCH-IEC activities as per the revised plan of action, 

which is different from the action plan approved by the Ministry. In fact, the ZSS Secretary 

was surprised to see the list of approved activities and the corresponding fund allocation for 

Tumkur ZSS from the MOHFW which was received by the evaluation team but not by 

himself. 

16 



The evaluation team collected the project proposal that was submitted to the MOHFW by 

the DHO. It is a two-page proposal and does not contain any details on the activities 

proposed, executing agency, purpose of the activity, level at which the activities would be 

organised, topics to be included, target group, subsequent utilisation of the target group etc. 

Also, majority of the activities included in the proposal are related to training programmes at 

different levels. The activities are proposed to be carried out either by involving Mahila 

Swasthya Sangha (MSS) or by involving health department. Thus the project proposal 

ignored the basic philosophy of involving ZSS in promoting RCH-IEC activities, which 

advocates propagating RCH messages through folk forms using local themes, ideas, talent 

etc. The project proposal, instead, looks more like the regular IEC activities that are 

routinely organized by the District Health Department. 

More specifically, the proposal sent by the DHO suggested a total of 20 different activities, 

to be organised at the district, Taluka and Village levels: 

1. 410 Young mothers’ meetings in MSS 

2. 204 Young mothers’ jathas in MSS 

3. 582 Awareness camps for adolescent girls in MSS 

4. 816 RCH sessions in MSS 

5. 1662 Anganwadi sessions for mothers 

6. 114 Awareness camps for health assistants 

7. 500 Awareness camps for literacy workers 

8. 21 Awareness camps for NGO members 

9. 22 Awareness camps for Gram Panchayat members 

10. 22 Awareness camps for Taluka Panchayat members 

11. 2 Awareness camps for Zilla Panchayat members 

12. 11 Awareness camps for Taluka level department heads 

13. 2 Awareness camps for district level department heads 

14. 133 Film shows 

15. 434 Video shows 

16. 140 Dish-antenna coverage 

17. 31 Multi-media campaign 

18. 108 Folk-media programme 

19. 3092 Tin wall stencilling 

20. 32 Small hoarding installation 

The MOHFW sanctioned all these proposed activities to be executed by the ZSS, except the 

following: 

1. Young mothers’ meetings in MSS 

2. Anganwadi sessions for mothers 

3. Film shows 

4. Video shows 

5. Dish-antenna coverage 

17 


6. Multi-media campaigns 

7. Folk-media programmes 

Similarly, against the installation of 32 small hoarding, the MOHFW sanctioned only 

fifteen. 


The project proposal submitted by the Belgaum ZSS did not mention on how the RCH-IEC 

activities will be implemented in the district. The IEC activities are proposed to be carried 

out mainly through posters, street plays, folksongs, and training programmes involving 

various target groups at the Taluka/Panchayat/Village levels 

The ZSS, Belgaum had proposed the following activities under the RCH-IEC scheme: 

1. One-day orientation for key-trainers at district-level involving Taluka level officials 

2. One-day orientation training at taluka-level for key-trainers involving health 

functionaries 

3. Printing of educational materials 

4. Arranging folk-media programme on RCH through street plays, folk songs etc. 

The MOHFW has sanctioned all the activities proposed by the ZSS-Belgaum, with a 

modification suggested in one of the proposed activities. The MOHFW suggested to 

organise training programme for neo-literate leaders (nava-sakshara leaders) instead of 

organising training programmes for health functionaries. Since, in the original proposal the 

Belgaum, ZSS did not mention regarding the type of print material that to be used, the 

MOHFW proposed to print 10000 posters under this item. In the sanctioned proposal the 

MOHFW also suggested to include training programme for neo-literates. 

, 

Since the activities proposed and carried out are very different in different districts selected 

for evaluation, the RCH-IEC activities conducted in each of these districts are studied 

separately, dealing with one proposed activity at a time. 


A statement showing the activities proposed and conducted in Davanagere district under the 

scheme at the time of the evaluation study is presented in Table 1. The table indicates that 

the Davanagere ZSS has not yet carried out some of the proposed activities and has also 

differed in the implementation of some of the activities from the original proposal. 

18 


Orientation Workshop for the Officials/NGOs 

Under this activity, it was proposed and approved to carry out a two-day ZSS level 

workshop for Rs. 5,000 and 7 Taluka-level workshops at the cost of Rs. 1,000 per 

workshop, for 25-30 participants each. However, the records available with the ZSS as well 

as the discussions with the ZSS Secretary, all these eight workshops were combined into one 

activity, that too, for half-a-day, following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the 

ZSS. They were not conducted separately, as it was proposed. The total expenditure 

incurred was Rs. 4,250 against the sanctioned budget of Rs. 12,000. 

The proposal, approved by MOHFW, does not indicate the types of persons who will be 

trained, the topics to be covered for the training, the resource persons, and the subsequent 

use of these trained persons in the scheme. 

The ZSS Executive Committee Meeting was conducted on 14 July, 2000 between 10.30 

a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Conference Hall, Office of the Deputy Commissioner, following 

which the Orientation on RCH was organized. The orientation workshop consisted of two 

lectures – one on Anaemia by Dr. H.S. Susheelamma, Gynaecologist, JJM Medical College, 

Davanagere and the other on AIDS by Dr. G.M. Prasad, District Health Officer, 

Davanagere. 

A total of 50 officers attended the orientation programme, including 30 members of the 

Executive Committee. The Taluka-level officials who attended this orientation programme 

include: Tahasildar, Child Development Program Officer (CDPO), Block Education Officer 

(BEO), Executive Officer of Taluka Panchayat, and Co-ordinator of the Taluka 

Aksharadana Samiti. The participants were provided with wrappers with the RCH logo 

printed on them. 

The seven Taluka-level Orientation Workshops were combined with the ZSS Executive 

Committee meeting because it was felt that the orientation will be more effective if given 

directly under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner. However, none of the 

Taluka-level officials who were interviewed did not report their participation in any of the 

orientation programmes organized by the ZSS. It could be that the officials interviewed 

have been posted in their respective posts only recently or they could not remember to report 

the orientation programme although they had attended. 

Material Development Workshop 

The proposed activities under material development includes a two-day workshop on 

posters, two-day workshop on folk songs and a five-day workshop on street plays. The 

details about the themes to be covered, number of posters, street plays and folk songs to be 

developed and resource persons for this workshop were not mentioned in the approved 

proposal. 

As against the proposal, the ZSS organized (1) a three-day workshop to develop the scripts 

for 4 street plays,12 folk songs and 1 Rupaka, (2) a three-day workshop for directors and 

19 


artists for street plays and folksongs, and (3) another two-day workshop for the directors, 

actors and singers. Of the three workshops, two were conducted for Davanagere and 

Chitradurga districts combined. No workshop was conducted for the development of 

posters, and the workshops were not organized separately for the development of street 

plays and folksongs. 

However, it is evident that the Davanagere ZSS has taken very keen interest in developing 

the scripts for street plays and folk songs and also in directing and training 7 troupes each 

consisting of 12 performers, one troupe in each Taluka, for presentation of these street plays 

and folk songs. 

A three-day material development workshop for writers was organised in Chitradurga 

during 29-31, December, 1999. It was a combined workshop for both Davanagere and 

Chitradurga districts since the Secretary was looking after both the District Saksharata 

Samitis. Several prominent artists and writers from both the districts attended the workshop. 

Scripts for 4 street plays, namely Betalana Kathe, Sandesha (meaning message), Harake 

(meaning offerings to God) and Udho Udho, were developed during the workshop. In 

addition, 12 songs and a short play named Sonku Rogagalu were also developed. The DHO, 

Chitradurga and two health educators from State Resource Centre, Mysore participated as 

resource persons. No money was spent on this workshop from the budget meant for 

Davanagere ZSS. 

The evaluation team obtained the scripts of 4 street plays and 8 folk songs from the ZSS, 

Davanagere and these materials are briefly described as under: 

1. Street play - Bethalana Kathe: Mainly provides messages on: the consequences of 

marrying at an early age; importance of consulting an Anganwadi worker, ANM or 

Doctor immediately after knowing that the woman is pregnant; ante-natal care checkups; 

importance of conducting delivery by trained persons; five-cleans to be observed 

during delivery, post-natal care, signs of a healthy new-born baby, breastfeeding 

immediately after the birth and immunisation of the child. 

2. Street play - Sandesha: Gives specific information about various family planning 

methods used for spacing and limiting births. The play also gives importance of use of 

Nirodh in avoiding AIDS. 

3. Street play – Harake: Highlights the blind-beliefs and superstitions existing among the 

villagers in the treatment of children. The specific messages spread through this street 

play are: symptoms and treatment of diarrhoea and pneumonia among children, 

importance of breast feeding, reasons and prevention of night-blindness among children, 

importance of child immunisation and the importance of male participation in the 

utilisation of various health services. 

4. Street play - Udho Udho: Similar messages on maternal and child health as in the 

previous plays. 

5. Short play - Sonku Rogagalu: Describes the consequences of using the traditional 

method for terminating pregnancy and the importance of personal hygiene during 

menstruation. 

20 


6. The 8 folk songs also conveyed the above said messages in addition to infertility, use of 

safe drinking water, sanitation, and various modes of transmission and prevention of 

AIDS. 

During 14-16 February, 2000, a three-day workshop for Directors and Folk Singers from 

different Talukas was organised at Thirtharameshwar in Honnali Taluka. The workshop was 

a combined activity for both Davanagere and Chitradurga districts. A total of 31 

participants from Davanagere and Chitradurga districts were present, including 7 playdirectors 

and 7 folksong singers. The state resource persons – Mr. Police Patil and Mr. 

Sambashiva Dalwai conducted the workshop. During the workshop, the scripts of the street 

plays prepared at Chitradurga workshop were reviewed and revised. While the directors 

were involved in directing the street plays, the singers were engaged in setting the tune for 

the songs. An amount of Rs.14,600 was spent on this workshop. 

A two-day workshop for directors and artists was organised at Kondajji in Harihar Taluka 

during 27-28, March, 2000. Since all the Taluka-level directors and singers who participated 

in the Thirtharameshwara workshop were not effective in independently directing the street 

plays, selected directors and singers were called to this workshop to finalise the direction of 

street plays and songs. The main objective of this workshop was to train the 7 troupes (one 

each for each of the six Talukas and one troupe for the two urban municipalities), each 

consisting of 12 members (generally 8 males and 4 females), in street plays and folk songs. 

The members of the troupes were chosen on the recommendations of the respective Taluka 

Aksharadana Samiti. The street-play and folksong troupes from each Taluka were trained, 

through these directors of play and music, and were prepared to perform all the street plays 

and sing folksongs. Along with the workshop, seminars on various health issues were 

organised in the evenings, during which, the artists performed street plays and sang 

folksongs to the village community. 

The DHO, Davanagere who attended the workshop, it was reported by the ZSS Secretary, 

was initially apprehensive about the ability of the ZSS to communicate health related 

messages. But after seeing the contents of street plays and folksongs, he expressed his 

appreciation for the efforts of ZSS. 

A total of 111 participants including the artists (7 troupes each consisting of 12 members) 

and resource persons attended the workshop. An amount of Rs.31,020 was spent for the 

workshop. 

Street Plays and Folk Songs 

The sanctioned proposal included a provision for conducting 100 performances each of 

street plays and folk songs, separately, by involving the local NGOs. 

The available records as well as the discussions with the ZSS Secretary indicate that the 

same troupe performed both the street plays and folksongs at one occasion, and they were 

combined to make the campaign more effective. The total number of street-play and folk 

21 


song performances also were more than the number proposed – a total of 257 performances 

in rural areas and 69 in urban areas. 

In addition, the ZSS had organized street plays and folk songs during the Namma Nadu 

programme of the Deputy Commissioner – wherein within a short span of 3-4 days, a large 

number of villages (more than 100 villages) of a particular Taluka are given the street play 

and folksong performances by the trained troupes, though for a very short period. However, 

it was observed in one of the Namma Nadu programmes attended by the evaluation team 

that such an activity does not always effectively attract the attention of the masses since the 

people were more attentive on the movements of the Deputy Commissioner. 

The street plays and folk songs in each Taluka were performed by a trained troupe of 12 

members. 

The actual planning and implementation of this activity was left to the Taluka Aksharadana 

Samiti in each Taluka while the ZSS monitored and supervised the street play and folk song 

performances. Each Taluka Aksharadana Samiti was asked to stage 43 street plays and 43 

folk song performances in selected villages and set a timetable for the same (between March 

and May, 2000, at the rate of a maximum of three performances a day). The TSS was asked 

to select the villages where the number of illiterates and neo-literates were more. The ZSS 

sanctioned to each TSS a total amount of Rs. 13,000 for staging street plays (at the rate of 

Rs. 800 per day) and Rs. 7,000 for folk song performances (at the rate of Rs. 400 per day). 

The food and accommodation facilities for the troupe were to be arranged with the help of 

the local people. 

Although the ZSS sanctioned the amount separately for street plays and folk songs, the two 

programmes were actually combined, and the same troupe performed both the activities on 

one occasion. 

As per the direction from the ZSS, the Taluka Aksharadana Samitis met and decided the 

villages in which the street plays and folk songs are to be organized, based on their 

backwardness in terms of social, economic and health aspects. Sometimes, the Taluka 

Medical Officers recommended the villages where such type of programmes need to be 

organised. 

The Co-ordinator of the TSS took the complete responsibility of organizing the street plays 

and folksongs in selected villages according to schedule. Every Taluka Aksharadana Samiti 

printed handbills containing few RCH messages and the time-schedule of the performance 

of street plays and folk songs in the selected villages of the respective Taluka. The 

performances were well-publicized by giving these handbills to the concerned Gram 

Panchayat for distribution and also giving it in the local news paper, 3-4 days prior to the 

actual performance. The Taluka Aksharadana Samiti also made an appeal, well in advance, 

to all the elected representatives, government employees, teachers, Anganwadi workers, 

persons from the Health Department, Panchayat/Village Co-ordinators, and representatives 

of NGOs to welcome the troupe and participate in the program as per the schedule. 

22 


Once the troupe reached the village, it walked through the village singing folk songs and 

inviting the residents to come and watch the street plays. Some of the TSSs maintained a 

register to record the attendance and views of the audience selected randomly. 

The arrangements for the transportation, accommodation and food for the troupe is 

organized with the assistance from the local Banks, APMC, Taluka Panchayat, GPS etc. 

In a day, a troupe performed street plays and folk songs in three villages – one in the 

morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. In most of the Talukas, the street 

plays and folk songs were organized continuously for a period of 15 days covering 45 

villages. The artists were generally given a rest for seven days after completing five days of 

performance. In most of the villages, the performance was carried in front of the Gram 

Panchayat Office or in front of a Temple or in the school premises. Each performance 

lasted for a duration of about 2 hours. 

As presented earlier, the selected 12 villages for the evaluation included 6 where both street 

plays and folk songs were carried out. Detailed discussions were held with the concerned 

Gram Panchayat officials/village co-ordinator as well as the health officials. During the 

interviews with the TSS co-ordinators as well and Taluka-level health functionaries also, 

their remarks on street plays and folk songs were collected. Following are some of the 

remarks made on the street plays and folksongs, by the various ZSS and Health personnel 

interviewed: 

1. In a few villages, only folks songs were sung and no street plays were performed due to 

poor turn out of the people. 

2. The turnout of the audience is generally very good in villages where the performance 

was organized in the evenings, and turnout was very poor in villages where the 

performance was scheduled for the afternoons. 

3. The IEC activities on health issues through street plays and folk songs are needed since 

people are not interested in printed materials such as pamphlets, posters etc. 

4. The street plays and folk songs are more effective because it uses folk medium and local 

artists. They give entertainment which is often absent in villages; attract huge crowd and 

also give messages through acting and jokes that can easily be understandable to the 

illiterate mass. Similarly, people's concentration will be more on such activities. Since, 

the messages through street plays and folk songs were communicated using open stage, 

people do not have any hesitation to talk and discuss about various health issues. They 

also come forward to clear their doubts and misconception. Often the artists come from 

the audience themselves, and sometimes the artists themselves act as the audience 

reacting to the performance providing a total involvement of the audience and the artists. 

Through this activity mass awareness is created within a short duration of time and by 

spending less amount of money. 

5. At the same time, it is also doubtful whether the people will just watch and have fun or 

they will be able to grasp the messages provided in these street plays and folksongs. 

6. It is not possible to provide detailed information on all the different issues related to 

RCH, within a short period. 

23 


Posters 

7. The rural people who depend mainly on daily wages for their livelihood, will not come 

to see such performances if conducted during the day time. Hence such activities should 

be organised in the evenings and during the months after the end of harvesting season. 

One Taluka co-ordinator informed that street play should be conducted only in the 

evening with light and mike arrangements. 

8. The street plays and folk songs were performed in some of the resistant villages in terms 

of utilisation of health services and after the programme there has been some 

improvement in the attitude of the people in these villages. 

9. The frequency and duration of such programme is important for registering the 

messages in the minds of the people. It is necessary to repeat and continue such 

activities in order to make the villagers remember the messages for longer duration. One 

of the TSS co-ordinators narrated an example of how discontinuity in the campaign 

takes away the positive effects of such campaigns: “In a village which had a large 

number of persons addicted to alcohol, the addicts had stopped consuming alcohol 

following an educational campaign. However, after sometime, after the effect of the 

campaign tapered off, the same people took to alcohol again. If the educational 

programme was repeated in that village, probably they would not have gone back to 

alcohol.” 

10. Instead of performing these activities in selected villages, the street plays folksongs 

should cover all the villages of a Taluka. 

11. There has been demand from villagers (where the programme was not organised) to 

organise the street plays and folk songs in their village to provide knowledge on various 

health issues. 

12. The street plays and folk songs were attended by all types of people such as young, old, 

males, females etc. 

13. The street plays and folksongs performed help in removing misconception/blind beliefs 

among the people, to know about various health issues and facilities available to them. 

People's faith on health department would improve through such programmes. 

14. It was reported by some of the grass-root level health workers that this type of 

programme made their work simple and easy. For example, after watching these street 

plays and folk songs, many mothers-in-law who were earlier opposing their daughtersin-law 

to utilise the health services such as ANC, hospital deliveries, immunisation, 

family planning etc. had changed. 

It was proposed to develop and print posters under the scheme. However, this activity was 

not carried out till this evaluation. 

However, during the discussion, the ZSS Secretary reported the plans to prepare stickers 

instead of posters which is thought to be more effective. The themes/messages to be 

included in the stickers/posters and the way they will be developed were not yet finalised. 

24 


Wall Writing 

The proposed wall-writing activity was also not initiated at the time of this evaluation. It 

was reported that the details about the size of wall writing, the level at which the activity 

will be carried out, and the themes/messages to be included in these wall-writings are yet to 

be finalised. 

Seminar/Workshop at Taluka/Panchayat/Village Levels 

As per the sanctioned scheme, the ZSS had to organise 100 seminars/workshops at 

Taluka/Gram Panchayat/Village levels for PRI representatives, literacy volunteers, women 

leaders, NGOs and neo-literates. The proposal, however, does not indicate the number of 

participants, number of seminars/workshops to be organised at each level, the duration, 

topics to be covered, and the resource persons to be used. 

It was reported by the ZSS Secretary that a total of 35 workshops at Taluka/Gram 

Panchayat/Village level were organised in the district as a whole. 

Each Taluka Aksharadana Samiti was instructed by the ZSS to organise: (1) A one-day 

orientation programme for elected members, Yuvaka Mandals, Mahila Mandals, NGOs, to 

be organized at Taluka level for a sum of Rs. 550; (2) A one-day orientation programme for 

literacy volunteers and journalists at Taluka level for a sum of Rs.550, and (2) five 

orientation programmes at the Gram Panchayat level for Anganwadi workers, teachers, 

literacy workers, health workers and neo-literates between July and August, 2000, for a sum 

of Rs. 2,000 (at the rate of Rs. 400 per workshop). 

The ZSS directed the TSS to involve Medial Officer and Child Development Project Officer 

as resource persons for all these workshops. However, the actual topics to be covered in 

these workshops are not mentioned. 

During the visit of the evaluation team to the TSS, it was reported that the Taluka-level 

orientation programme for elected members was not yet organized in Harihar and 

Davanagere Talukas. Similarly, the orientation programme for the journalists and literacy 

workers was not conducted in Harapanhalli and Honnali Talukas. In Harapanahalli Taluka, 

the Co-ordinator informed that the journalists were given the orientation along with the 

elected members. 

With regard to the Gram Panchayat level workshops, 5 workshops each were organized by 

every TSS except the Harapanahalli TSS, where none of the five stipulated workshops was 

organized. 

These workshops were generally organized with the involvement and cooperation of several 

officers at different levels. In any Taluka, the elected members of the Zilla Panchayat and 

Taluka Panchayats were informed in advance by the Executive Officer of the Taluka 

Panchayat about the orientation programme well in advance. 

25 


Similarly, the Gram Panchayat Secretaries informed the President, Vice-president and other 

members of the Gram Panchayat regarding the orientation training programme 2 or 3 days 

in advance. The headmasters/headmistress of primary schools were instructed by the 

respective Block Education Officers to depute few teachers from his/her school for the 

orientation programme. The Anganwadi workers were informed about the orientation 

programme through the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO). The Taluka Medical 

officer informed the medical officers of various PHCs to depute ANM/BHW for the training 

programme at Gram Panchayat level. The Taluka co-ordinator informed other categories of 

people to participate in the orientation training programme. 

The Gram Panchayat-level orientation programmes were generally organized at Hobli place, 

covering several Gram Panchayats. 

As reported by the various Taluka-level officials, the average duration of the training 

programme was about four hours. The number of participants for these orientation 

programmes ranged from 40 to 60 for the Taluka-level orientation programmes and between 

60 and 80 for the Gram Panchayat level programmes. Only a few TSS Co-ordinators 

maintained a detailed report regarding these orientation training programmes. 

The topics discussed during these orientation programmes included: population control, 

cleanliness during the menstruation, age at marriage, antenatal and postnatal care, 

breastfeeding, child immunization, Oral Rehydration Salt, spacing of births and 

RTI/STD/AIDS. The Taluka Medical Officers and Medical Officers from the Taluka 

hospital were the resource persons for the Taluka-level orientation programmes. For the 

Gram Panchayat-level orientation programmes, the Medical Officers and BHEs from the 

concerned PHC and Assistant Teachers participated as resource persons. 

In some Talukas, the street plays and folk songs were also staged along with the orientation 

programmes. 

As a part of another programme of the ZSS, – Thai Bhuthai Samrakshana Masacharane – 

the observance of the Protection of the Mother and Earth Month, in some of the Gram 

Panchayat-level orientation programmes, additional street plays and folk songs were 

organized on the issues regarding environmental protection including planting of trees, 

conservation of water, air pollution etc. 

The views of the several ZSS and health personnel interviewed during this evaluation on the 

orientation programmes are summarized as under: 

1. Such orientation programmes are required because the grass-root level health workers 

and health educators have not been carrying out the routine health education due to 

various factors such as a heavy work load and an absence of concrete action plan. 

Similarly, the higher-level authorities do not consider population control as an important 

issue and do not advocate the need for it. It is required to control population and to 

increase the voluntary acceptance of various health services by the community 

26 


members. There is a tendency among community members to neglect the information 

provided by the grass root-level health workers. 

2. It is useful to give training to Anganwadi workers and teachers because these people are 

available in almost all the villages and people have faith in them. During the training 

programme the trainees were asked to spread the information to the local people in the 

respective villages. 

3. However, the teaching methods in these orientation programmes are not effective and 

the participants seem to lose interest after some time. 

4. These orientation programmes should be organized for all the Aganwadi workers, as 

well as the teaching and non-teaching staff of schools. 

5. Such programmes should also be organized for common people in the months of March, 

April and May by the Health Department in every 2 villages in a Subcentre for at least 

two years. Since family matters are managed by women, it was suggested to provide 

awareness on various health issues to them. 

6. The orientation training programme for the elected members was not very successful. 

This is mainly because, after the inauguration function, the local MLA goes to attend 

another programme and most of the other elected members present follow the MLA. 

Most of the Gram Panchayat Presidents/Vice-presidents interviewed told that they did not 

know about the purpose of training, content of the training etc before attending the 

programme. Some of them informed that they could not participate in the programme due 

to various reasons. However, almost all Gram Panchayats extended full co-operation and 

arranged tea, snacks and meals for the participants. 

Majority of the village level Saksharata Samiti functionaries interviewed appreciated the 

orientation programme and opined that such programmes help: (1) them to know about 

various health issues; (2) in reducing the superstitions prevailing among the villagers; (3) 

such programmes should be organised once a month so that people will remember the 

messages. 

Although the main aim of these orientation programmes was to encourage the participants 

for educating the village people regarding various RCH issues, it was informed by some of 

the participants that they are not spreading the messages voluntarily. The participants 

provided the information only when the community members approached them. 

Some of the village-level Saksharata Samiti functionaries suggested that such training 

programmes should be arranged for illiterates and ignorant people in the village. They also 

informed that Anganwadi workers, school teachers and health workers will not spread the 

message voluntarily to the people. 

District Level Workshop 

It was proposed to organise five district-level workshops for representatives of Panchayati 

Raj Institutions and NGOs, women leaders, journalists and literacy workers. However, as is 

the case with regard to other orientation programmes planned and approved, the proposal 

27 


did not mention the number of participants, topics to be discussed, resource persons to be 

used, the purpose, and the subsequent utilisation of these trainees in the scheme. 

The ZSS Secretary reported to the evaluation team that these workshops are yet to be 

organized. 

Orientation Workshops Exclusively for Neo-literates for Sensitising on RCH issues 

As per the scheme proposed and approved, the ZSS had to organise orientation workshops 

exclusively for neo-literates to sensitise them on various issues related to RCH. However, 

the proposal does not contain the details such as executing agency, purpose, number of 

workshops, number of participants, resource persons to be involved, and utilisation of these 

persons after the training. 

The discussion with the Secretary, ZSS revealed that a district-level orientation training 

programme exclusively for neo-literates was organised on 25 August, 2000 at 

Davanagere. The resource persons for this workshop were: Dr. Susheelamma, who spoke 

on Anaemia, Mr. Puttaraju, who spoke on home remedies for various health problems, 

Mr. H. Shanta Naik, State Resource Person, Channagiri and Mrs. Bhagyalaxmi 

Amrutapur, State Resource Person, Davanagere, who spoke on various RCH issues. 

About 65 neo-literates attended the workshop. 


A statement showing the activities proposed and conducted in the district under the scheme 

at the time of the evaluation study is presented in Table 2. The table indicates that the 

Chitradurga ZSS has made certain modifications in some of the activities sanctioned by 

MOHFW without informing the changes to the funding agency prior to implementation. 

Similarly, some of the activities for which funds are sanctioned are not carried out, and in 

some cases, the sanctioned funds are utilized for conducting activities other than those for 

which funds were sanctioned by the funding agency. 

Orientation Workshop for the Officials/NGOs 

Under this activity, it was proposed and approved to carry out a two-day ZSS level 

workshop for Rs. 5,000 and 7 Taluka-level one-day workshops at the cost of Rs. 1,000 per 

workshop, for 25-30 participants each. 

At the time of this evaluation, the proposed ZSS-level workshop has not been organised. But 

the Taluka-level workshops were organised in all Talukas except Hiriyur. In Challakere, this 

workshop was organised exclusively for the Taluka-level officials. In other Talukas, 

however, journalists, elected members to various civic bodies, Gram Panchayat secretaries 

also participated along with the Taluka-level officials. In Holalkere Taluka, this workshop 

was organised only for half day. As per the information of various Taluka Co-ordinators the 

amount spent for this workshop ranges from Rs. 400 to Rs. 2350. The total amount spent for 

this activity is about Rs. 5,270. In total, 399 persons had participated in these workshops 

28 


organised in the five Talukas, and the number ranges from 34 to 250 per workshop. It may 

be noted that in Hosadurga Taluka, 250 persons had participated in the one-day workshop. 

The proposal, approved by MOHFW, does not indicate the types of persons who will be 

trained, the topics to be covered for the training, the resource persons, and the subsequent 

use of these trained persons in the scheme. It is important to note that only six Talukas are 

existing in the district but the sanctioned proposal provided budget for carrying out seven 

Taluka-level workshops. 


The proposed activities under material development include a two-day workshop on posters, 

two-day workshop on folk songs and a five-day workshop on street plays. The details about 

the themes to be covered, number of posters, street plays and folk songs to be developed and 

resource persons for this workshop were not mentioned in the approved proposal. 

As against the proposal, the ZSS organized (1) a three-day workshop to develop the scripts 

for 4 street plays, 12 folk songs and 1 Rupaka, (2) a three-day workshop for directors and 

artists for street plays and folksongs, and (3) another three-day workshop for the artists at 

Taluka level. Of the three workshops, two were conducted for Chitradurga and Davanagere 

districts combined. No workshop was conducted for the development of posters, and the 

workshops were not organized separately for the development of street plays and folksongs. 

Thus it is evident that the Chitradurga ZSS has taken very keen interest in developing the 

scripts for street plays and folk songs and also in directing and training 6 troupes each 

consisting of 12 performers, one troupe in each Taluka, for presentation of these street plays 

and folk songs. 

A three-day material development workshop for writers was organised in Chitradurga 

during 29-31, December, 1999. It was a combined workshop for both Chitradurga and 

Davanagere districts since the same person was officiating as Secretary for both the District 

Saksharata Samitis. Several prominent artists and writers from both the districts attended the 

workshop. Scripts for 4 street plays, namely Betalana Kathe, Sandesha (meaning message), 

Harake (meaning offerings to God) and Udho Udho, were developed during the workshop. 

In addition, 12 songs and a short play named Sonku Rogagalu were also developed. The 

DHEO, Chitradurga and two health educators from State Resource Centre, Mysore 

participated as resource persons. About 35 persons attended this workshop (15 from the 

ZSS, Chitradurga). The expenditure incurred for this workshop is about Rs. 12,000. It is 

reported that ZSS, Chitradurga has paid an honorarium of Rs. 200 to persons from SRC and 

Rs. 100 to other participants. 

Although scripts for four street plays were developed in the workshop, only three were used 

by the ZSS, Chitradurga. The evaluation team obtained the scripts of 3 street plays and 12 

folk songs from the ZSS and these materials are briefly described as under: 

29 


1. Street play - Bethalana Kathe: Mainly provides messages on: the consequences of 

marrying at an early age; importance of consulting an Anganwadi worker, ANM or 

Doctor immediately after knowing that the woman is pregnant; ante-natal care checkups; 

importance of conducting delivery by trained persons; five-cleans to be observed 

during delivery, post-natal care, signs of a healthy new-born baby, breastfeeding 

immediately after the birth and immunization of the child. 

2. Street play - Sandesha: Gives specific information about various family planning 

methods used for spacing and limiting births. The play also gives importance of use of 

Nirodh in avoiding AIDS. 

3. Street play – Harake: Highlights the blind-beliefs and superstitions existing among the 

villagers in the treatment of children. The specific messages spread through this street 

play are: symptoms and treatment of diarrhoea and pneumonia among children, 

importance of breast feeding, reasons and prevention of night-blindness among children, 

importance of child immunization and the importance of male participation in the 

utilization of various health services. 

4. Short play - Appa Nanna Hodiya Bedappa: It describes the gender discrimination and 

the ill-effects of alcoholism. 

5. The 12 folk songs also conveyed the above said messages in addition to infertility, use 

of safe drinking water, sanitation, and various modes of transmission and prevention of 

AIDS. 

During 14-16 February, 2000, a three-day workshop for Directors and Folk Singers from 

different Talukas was organised at Thirtharameshwar in Honnali Taluka of Davanagere 

district. The workshop was a combined activity for both Chitradurga and Davanagere 

districts. A total of 31 participants from the two districts were present. The state resource 

persons – Mr. Police Patil and Mr. Sambashiva Dalwai conducted the workshop. During the 

workshop, the scripts of the street plays developed at Chitradurga workshop were reviewed 

and revised. While the directors were involved in directing the street plays, the singers were 

engaged in setting the tune for the songs. No money was spent on this workshop from the 

budget meant for Chitradurga ZSS. 

Similarly, a three-day workshop for street play and folk song artists was organised in each 

Taluka in March, 2000. The resource persons for these workshops included a state resource 

person, district co-ordinator, Taluka-level street play director, Taluka Medical Officer and 

Taluka co-ordinator. A team consisting of about 12 artists – both male and female – were 

trained in these workshops. . The Taluka Co-ordinator was given the responsibility of 

selecting the 12 artists for this workshop. However, in Molakalmuru Taluka no female 

artisits was trained. The Taluka Medical Officer explained about the various technical 

issues and availability of health services. During this workshop the artists rehearsed the folk 

songs and street plays developed for the scheme. In some of the Talukas, the artists carried 

out pre-testing of street plays and folk songs in a village. Based on this field practice, 

appropriate modifications were made in the tuning as well as the script of folk songs and 

street plays. A sum of Rs. 17,392 was spent for these workshops organised in the six 

Talukas of the district. 

30 


Street Plays and Folk Songs 

The sanctioned proposal included a provision for conducting 100 performances each of 

street plays and folk songs, separately, by involving local NGOs. 

The available records as well as the discussions with the ZSS Secretary indicate that the 

same troupe performed both the street plays and folksongs at one occasion, and they were 

combined to make the campaign more effective. The total number of street-play and folk 

song performances also were more than the number proposed – a total of 351 performances 

in rural areas. 

The street plays and folk songs in each Taluka were performed by a trained troupe of 12 

members. In one of the Talukas a ‘technician’ from the Health Department accompanied the 

troupe throughout their performance. 

The actual planning and implementation of this activity was left to the Taluka Aksharavani 

Samiti in each Taluka while the ZSS monitored and supervised the street play and folk song 

performances. Various Taluka Aksharavani Samitis were asked to stage between 40 and 75 

street plays and between 40 and 51 folk song performances in selected villages and set a 

timetable for the same (between March and May, 2000, at the rate of a maximum of three 

performances a day). The TSS was asked to select the villages where the number of 

illiterates and neo-literates were more. The ZSS sanctioned a total amount of Rs. 73,500 for 

staging street plays (at the rate of Rs. 750 per day) and Rs. 39,200 for folk song 

performances (at the rate of Rs. 400 per day) to the six Taluka Samitis. The food and 

accommodation facilities for the troupe were to be arranged with the help of local people. 

Although the ZSS sanctioned the amount separately for street plays and folk songs, the two 

programmes were actually combined, and the same troupe performed both the activities on 

one occasion. 

The Co-ordinator of the TSS took the complete responsibility of organising the street plays 

and folksongs in selected villages according to schedule. Every Taluka Aksharavani Samiti 

printed handbills containing few RCH messages and the time-schedule of the performance 

of street plays and folk songs in the selected villages of the respective Taluka. The 

performances were well-publicised by giving these handbills to the concerned Gram 

Panchayat for distribution and also giving it in the local news paper, 3-4 days prior to the 

actual performance. The Taluka Aksharavani Samiti also made an appeal, well in advance, 

to all the elected representatives, government employees, teachers, Anganwadi workers, 

persons from the Health Department, Panchayat/Village Co-ordinators, and representatives 


Once the troupe reached the village, it walked through the village singing folk songs and 

inviting the residents to come and watch the street plays. Some of the TSSs maintained a 

register to record the attendance and views of the audience selected randomly. 

The arrangements for the transportation, accommodation and food for the troupe is 

organized with the assistance from Taluka Panchayat, GPS etc. 

31 


In a day, a troupe performed street plays and folk songs in three villages – one in the 

morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. In most of the Talukas, the street 

plays and folk songs were organized in 2 or 3 phases for a total period of 20 days covering 

60 villages. The artists were generally given a rest for 1 or 2 weeks after completing the 

performance in each phase. In most villages, the performance was carried in front of the 

Gram Panchayat Office or in front of a Temple or in the school premises. Duration of each 

performance was about 2 hours. 

The selected 12 villages for the evaluation included 6 where both street plays and folk songs 

were carried out. Detailed discussions were held with the concerned Gram Panchayat 

officials/village co-ordinator as well as the health officials. During the interviews with the 

TSS co-ordinators as well and Taluka-level health functionaries, their remarks on street 

plays and folk songs were noted. Following are some of the remarks made on the street 

plays and folksongs, by the various ZSS and Health personnel interviewed: 

1. Of all the RCH-IEC activities, the street plays and folk songs are the most effective. 





exposure to other mass media like posters, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets etc is very 

poor in rural areas. 

4. The street plays and folk songs are more effective because they use folk media and local 

artists. They give entertainment that is often absent in villages; attract huge crowd and 


illiterate mass. Similarly, people's attention will be more on such activities. Since, the 

messages through street plays and folk songs were communicated using open stage, 

people do not have any hesitation to talk and discuss about various health issues. They 

also come forward to clear their doubts and misconceptions. Often the artists come from 

the audience themselves, and sometimes the artists themselves act as the audience 

reacting to the performance providing a total involvement of the audience and the artists. 

Through this activity mass awareness is created within a short duration of time and by 

spending less amount of money. Similarly during the time of staging and afterwards the 

villagers discuss on various issues covered through street plays and folk songs. 

5. In some of the villages, the people expressed that the things that happen in their villages 

are told through this street plays and folksongs. 

6. At the same time, it is also doubtful whether the people will just watch and have fun or 

they will be able to grasp the messages provided in these street plays and folksongs. 

7. It is not possible to provide detailed information on all the different issues related to 

RCH, within a short period. 

8. The rural people, who depend mainly on daily wages for their livelihood, will not come 

to see such performances if conducted during the daytime. Hence such activities should 


32 







activities in order to make the villagers remember the messages for longer duration. 

11. Instead of performing these activities in selected villages, the street plays and folksongs 



organise the street plays and folk songs in their village to provide knowledge on various 





among the people, to know about various health issues and facilities available to them. It 

was informed that during the mass campaign in some of the villages mothers were 

realised that they are not treating their children well due to disbelieves. Similarly, one 

woman expressed that if she should have the knowledge regarding the care and 

treatment during pregnancy her child should not have became night-blind. It was 

reported that after the staging of street plays and folksongs in one of the village a person 

realised his mistake of sending his wife to her home for not delivering a male child and 

brought her back. 

15. People's faith on health department would improve through such programmes. It was 

reported by some of the grass-root level health workers that this type of programme 

made their work simple and easy. For example, after watching these street plays and 

folk songs, many mothers-in-law who were earlier opposing their daughters-in-law to 

utilise the health services such as ANC, hospital deliveries, immunisation, family 

planning etc. had changed. 

Posters 

It was proposed to develop and print posters under the scheme. According to the sanctioned 

proposal, the ZSS Chitradurga has to print 10,000 posters. The sanctioned proposal did not 

mention about the content, size and type of posters to be developed. It also did not give any 

idea about the subsequent utilisation of these posters in this scheme. 

The ZSS Secretary reported that they printed one brochure and 4 posters. As discussed 

earlier, these posters and brochures were not developed in a workshop as it was proposed in 

the project plan. While the posters were designed and developed by the ZSS Secretary and a 

District Co-ordinator, the brochures were borrowed from the DHO, and printed in the name 

of ZSS, Chitradurga. In all 4,000 brochures and 6,000 posters (1,500 copies of each type) 

were printed. An amount of Rs. 44,750 has been spent for printing these materials. It is told 

that around 1,400 posters of each type was given to the six Taluka Aksharavani Samitis. 

Discussion with the six Taluka Aksharavani Samiti co-ordinators revealed that they received 

the posters and brochures from the ZSS but did not mention the exact number of copies. The 

brochures were mainly distributed to the participants who attended various orientation 

training programmes organised at Taluka and Gram Panchayat levels. The posters were 

33 


Wall Writing 

distributed to the various Secretaries of Gram Panchayats to display them in prominent 

places. The evaluation team saw the posters displayed in few of the Gram panchayat Offices 

visited. Some of the participants of the orientation and training workshops who were 

interviewed reported that they received the brochure on RCH during the programme that 

they attended. 

However, the evaluation team found it difficult to assess the total number of posters and 

brochures distributed and the balance remaining with the ZSS. 

A brief description of the four posters are as follows: 

1. Title - Reproductive and child health programme: The poster provides the information 

on the objectives of the RCH programme, and specific activities under maternal health, 

child health, and family planning. The poster also provides the child immunization 

schedule. However, the poster looks very crowded with too much of information, and 

the maps and figures provided in the poster do not convey any meaningful information. 

The poster has many editorial errors. Under family planning, the poster does not 

mention oral pill along with Nirodh and Copper-T to space births. There is also no 

mention of permanent methods of family planning in the poster. 

2. Title – Do you know about Child Health? Healthy child is nation’s asset: This twocoloured 

(red and green) poster contains few poorly worded messages on what care 

should be taken to promote child’s health. Early initiation of breastfeeding, 

immunization, clean surroundings and nutrition are the messages provided. 

3. Title – Do you know about pregnant woman? : The poster provides eight steps to be 

followed to achieve better maternal and child health – check-up from a trained doctor, 

provision of TT injections, IFA tablets, delivery by health professionals, following the 

five principles of cleanliness during delivery, breastfeeding the new-born, bathing the 

child, and nutritious food to lactating mothers. 

4. Title – Activities under Continuing Education Programme: This poster, although 

printed under the RCH-IEC scheme, does not directly relate to the RCH issues that need 

to be addressed. The poster simply lists various activities under the CEP. 

The brochure gives a brief overview of the various components of the RCH programme and 

various services that are available under the programme. 

The sanctioned proposal suggested carrying out 500 wall-writings. The Secretary, ZSS 

reported that 10 slogans on RCH have been prepared for writing on the walls. Stencils on 

the selected slogans are cut and 5 stencils were distributed to various Taluka Aksharavani 

Samitis for writing the messages on the walls of various Gram Panchayats. The slogans are 

generally written on the walls of Government buildings such as Panchayat office, 

Anganwadi centre, schools, colleges, etc. At the time of evaluation study, the Secretary 

reported that this activity was initiated in all the Talukas except Chitradurga Taluka and was 

completed in Challakere and Hiriyur Talukas. But the TSS Co-ordinator of Molkalmuru 

Taluka reported that the wall-writings are not initiated in his Taluka also. However, the 

34 


evaluation team could not determine the actual number of wall-writings. The evaluation 

team spotted a few wall-writings in some Government buildings located in the Taluka 

headquarters, and none in the selected villages. The following are the slogans prepared for 

the wall writing: 

1. Akshara Arogya (Literacy is health). 

2. Garbhini Mahilayennu Kudale Thapasane Nadesi (Pregnant woman should go for 

check-up immediately). 

3. Sadruda Mahile Maththu Magu Arogyavantha Samajada Bunadi (Healthy woman and 

child is a base for healthy society). 

4. Arogyavantha Magu Deshada Aasthi (Healthy child is country’s asset) 

5. Chikka Kutumba Sukhee Kutumba (Small family is happy family). 

6. Condom Balasi Lyngika Rogadinda Mukti Padeyiri (Use condom to prevent sexual 

diseases). 

7. Polio Tappisalu Lesike Hakisi (Take drops to avoid polio). 

8. Hennondu Kalithare Shaleyondu Theradanthe (Educating a woman is equivalent to 

opening a school). 

9. Magu Ondu Irali Mane Thumba Nagu Irali (Let there by one child and let the laughter 

fill the family). 

The Secretary, ZSS reported that in addition to the wall writing they prepared 9 big 

hoardings carrying messages on RCH issues (selected from the wall-writings). Three 

hoarding were given to Chitradurga Aksharavani Samiti, two were given to Hiriyur 

Aksharavani Samiti and one each to the other four Taluka Aksharavani Samitis. These 

hoarding were erected mainly in the premises of DC office, Taluka Panchayat Office and 

National Highways. In some places the evaluation study team saw the hoarding. 

Seminar/Workshop at Taluka/Panchayat/Village Levels 

According to the sanctioned scheme, the ZSS had to organize 240 seminars/workshops at 

Taluka/Gram Panchayat/Village levels for PRI representatives, literacy volunteers, women 

leaders, NGO and neo-literates. The proposal, however, does not indicate the number of 

participants, number of seminars/workshops to be organised at each level, the duration, 

topics to be covered, and the resource persons to be used. 

It was reported by the ZSS Secretary that a total of 35 workshops at Taluka/Gram 

Panchayat/Village level were organised in the district as a whole. 

Against the proposed 240 seminars/workshops to be organized at the Village/Panchayat 

level, the ZSS gave each Taluka Aksharavani Samiti an action plan to be implemented: (1) 

A one-day orientation programme for journalists at Taluka level, [a total of 6 orientation 

programmes, one in each Taluka]; and (2) Orientation programmes at the Gram Panchayat 

level for Anganwadi workers, teachers, literacy workers, health workers and neo-literates 

between July and August, 2000 [a total of 202 workshops]. In addition, the TSSs were also 

instructed to carry out a one-day training on adolescent issues for science teachers of high 

schools at Taluka level [a total of 6 workshops, one per Taluka]. The Taluka level training 

35 


programmes for the science teachers of high school were organized in all Talukas except 

Hiriyur and Holalkere. 

The ZSS directed the TSS to involve Medial Officer and Child Development Project Officer 

as resource persons for all these workshops. However, the actual topics to be covered in 

these workshops are not mentioned. 

Although an action plan was distributed to the six Taluka Aksharavani Samitis for carrying 

out these activities, some of the Samitis did not follow the instructions completely. For 

example, in none of Talukas, workshops were organised exclusively for journalists. This 

workshop was combined with some other workshops at the Taluka-level. Similarly, the 

Hosadurga TSS combined all types of Taluka-level workshops into one – inviting various 

types of participants such as Taluka level officials, elected members, journalists, neoliterates, 

GP Secretaries etc for the same workshop. Thus the Taluka-level workshops were 

not organized uniformly, as per the action plan provided by the ZSS. 

With regard to the Gram Panchayat level workshops, the actual number of workshops 

organized varies among the Talukas – ranging from a high of 11 in Chitradurga Taluka to a 

low of 1 in Molkalmuru Taluka. The Gram Panchayat-level orientation programmes were 

generally organized at Hobli place, covering several Gram Panchayats, instead of carrying 

out workshops/seminars separately for each Gram Panchayat. 

These workshops were generally organized with the involvement and co-operation of 

several officers at different levels. In many Talukas, the elected members of the Zilla 

Panchayat and Taluka Panchayats were informed in advance by the Executive Officer of the 

Taluka Panchayat. Similarly, the Gram Panchayat Secretaries informed the President, Vicepresident 

and other members of the Gram Panchayat regarding the orientation training 

programme 2 or 3 days in advance. The headmasters/headmistress of primary schools and 

science teachers were instructed by the respective Block Education Officers to depute few 

teachers from his/her school for the orientation programme. The Anganwadi workers were 

informed about the orientation programme through the Child Development Project Officer 

(CDPO). The Taluka Medical officer informed the medical officers of various PHCs to 

depute ANM/BHW for the training programme at Gram Panchayat level. The Taluka coordinator 

informed other categories of people to participate in the orientation training 

programme. 

As reported by the various Taluka-level officials, the average duration of the training 

programme was about five hours. The number of participants for these orientation 

programmes ranged from 40 to 60 for the Taluka-level orientation programmes and between 

60 and 160 for the Gram Panchayat level programmes. Only a few TSS Co-ordinators 

maintained a detailed report regarding these orientation training programmes. 

The topics discussed during these orientation programmes included: population control, 

cleanliness during menstruation, age at marriage, antenatal and postnatal care, breastfeeding, 

child immunization, Oral Rehydration Salt, spacing of births and RTI/STD/AIDS. The 

Taluka Medical Officers and Medical Officers from the Taluka hospital were the resource 

36 


persons for the Taluka-level orientation programmes. For the Gram Panchayat-level 

orientation programmes, the Medical Officers and BHEs from the concerned PHC and Head 

Masters/Assistant Teachers participated as resource persons. 

In most of the Talukas, folk songs were also staged along with the orientation programmes. 

The views of the several ZSS and health personnel interviewed during this evaluation on the 

orientation programmes are summarized as under: 

1. Such orientation programmes are required because the grass-root level health workers 

and health educators have not been carrying out the routine health education due to 

various factors such as heavy work load and an absence of concrete action plan. Also the 

number of health facilities and health workers is less. This type of activity is required to 

control population and to increase the voluntary acceptance of various health services by 

the community members. There is a tendency among community members to neglect 

the information provided by the grass root-level health workers. 

2. It is useful to give training to Anganwadi workers and headmasters/teachers because 

these people are available in almost all the villages and people have faith in them. 

Anganwadi workers and headmasters will propagate the messages to the community. 

3. In recent period, more illiterates and backward class people are becoming 

Chairman/Vice-chairman of Grama Panchayats. Such training programmes will help 

them to know about various health issues. 

4. The orientation training programme for the elected members was not very successful, 

mainly because, most of the elected members did not show any interest in it. However, 

the Anganwadi workers and headmasters/teachers took the training very seriously and 

got their doubts clarified. 

5. The training programmes were more helpful to teachers and Anganwadi workers rather 

than the health department persons, for whom it was only a refresher course. 

6. The training helped them to know about first-aid in case of emergency and people are 

coming forward voluntarily to accept various health services. 

Most of the Gram Panchayat Presidents/Vice-presidents interviewed told that they did not 

know about the purpose of training, content of the training etc before attending the 

programme. Some of them informed that they could not participate in the programme due to 

several reasons. However, almost all Gram Panchayats extended full co-operation and 

arranged tea, snacks and meals for the participants. 

Majority of the village level Saksharata Samiti functionaries interviewed appreciated the 

orientation programme and opined that such programmes help: (1) them to know about 

various health issues; (2) in reducing the superstitions prevailing among the villagers; and 

(3) such programmes should be organised once a month so that people will remember the 

messages. 

37 


District Level Workshop 

It was proposed to organise five district-level workshops for representatives of Panchayati 

Raj Institutions, NGOs, women leaders, journalists and literacy workers. However, as is the 

case with regard to other orientation programmes planned and approved, the proposal did 

not mention the number of participants, topics to be discussed, resource persons to be used, 

the purpose, and the subsequent utilisation of these trainees in the scheme. It is very 

surprising to note that almost the same type of target group as in the 

Taluka/Panchayat/Village level workshops was mentioned for the district-level workshop 

too. 

During the discussion, the ZSS Secretary reported that the district-level workshop originally 

proposed has been changed into Taluka-level workshop for elected members, and members 

of the Yuvak and Yuvati mandals. 

At the time of the evaluation study, these Taluka-level workshops were organised only in 

three Talukas namely Chitradurga, Challakere and Molkalmuru. As per the information 

from the Taluka Co-ordinators an amount of Rs. 1,850 was spent for these three workshops. 

RCH-IEC activities other than the proposed and sanctioned 

The ZSS, Chitradurga had organised two RCH-IEC activities other than the ones sanctioned 

under the scheme – airing RCH messages through FM radio (Chitradurga, AIR) and a 

debate competition for Pre-university and High school students. Both these activities were 

not proposed at all in the proposal sanctioned by the MOHFW. 

FM Radio Programme 

This programme was organised as a part of the tenth anniversary of Chitradurga AIR. Under 

this programme, messages on RCH were aired for 13 weeks on every Friday between 6.00 

to 6.20 PM. This programme was mainly based on the street plays and folk songs developed 

by the ZSS under this scheme. 

Before the programme was aired through the FM channel, an appeal was made to the public 

to register their names with AIR for a competition testing their knowledge on RCH, which 

will be conducted after the programme was aired. About 120 persons registered their names 

with the AIR and 63 participated in the competition held at the district headquarters. The 

ZSS and AIR together prepared a set of 25 objective type questions related to the messages 

spread through this programme. A certificate and a FM radio worth Rs. 500 were given to 

the first 20 winners. 

An amount of Rs. 4000/- was spent for the travel from this scheme and the Zilla panchayat, 

Chitradurga, met the expenditure for the purchase of 20 FM radios. 

38 


Debate Competition for Pre-university and High School Students 

The ZSS, Chitradurga instructed all the Taluka Aksharavani Samitis to organise a debate 

competition for Pre-university and High school students. The topic for the debate 

competition was left to the TSS. An amount of Rs. 2000 from this scheme was allotted to 

each TSS for carrying out this activity. 

This activity was conducted only in two Talukas viz. Chitradurga and Challakere. The 

competition was organized at two levels – college level and Taluka level. In the first stage, 

principals of all the Junior Colleges in each Taluka were asked to organise a debate 

competition for the students in their college and send the list of first 3 winners to TSS. The 

following topics were provided by the TSS for the competition: 

1. Hadi Hareyeda Shikshana Aadhunika Samajada Anivarya (Adolescent education is 

required for modern society). 

2. Hadi Harayedavarge Lyngika Shikshana Needuvalli Sarkarada Mattu Poshakara Patra 

(Role of Government and parents in providing sex education to adolescents). 

3. Hadi Harayedavarge Lyngika Shikshana Needuvalli Yeduraguva Savalugalu (Facing of 

challenges in providing sex education to adolescents). 

In the second stage debate competition was again organised at the Taluka level for those 

students who won the competition at the college level. The number of participants varied 

from 12 in Challakere to 16 in Chitradurga Taluka. In Chitradurga the first three winners 

were given prize money of Rs. 200, Rs. 150 and Rs. 100 and the remaining participants 

were given a small dictionary. However, in Challakere the first three students were given 

trophies. The TSS reimbursed the travel expenses for the participants and one accompanied 

person. 


As mentioned earlier, the original proposal that was sanctioned by the MOHFW under 

the scheme was subsequently changed by the Tumkur ZSS without obtaining former’s 

written or oral approval. As per the terms and conditions of this evaluation, the RCH-IEC 

activities of the Tumkur ZSS under the scheme are examined against the specific 

proposed activities that were sanctioned by the MOHFW. 

A statement showing the activities proposed and conducted in the district at the time of 

the evaluation study is presented in Table 3. 

Inauguration function 

Although an inauguration function was sanctioned by the MOHFW (Rs. 4500), the Tumkur- 

ZSS did not utilize this fund for the inauguration function it organized on 11 January, 2000, 

along with one of the training programmes for female literacy workers in Tumkur Taluka. It 

may be noted here that the RCH-IEC activities in the district were launched in October 

1999, but the inauguration function was organized much later. The Minister for Agriculture, 

39 


Government of Karnataka who was also Minister in-charge of District Tumkur inaugurated 

the programme organized at Empress Women Pre-University College, Tumkur. The other 

officials who were present during the function included the Additional Director RCH, 

Bangalore, local MP, MLAs, Zilla Panchayat Chairman, Deputy Commissioner, Chief 

Executive Officer of ZP, DHO and District Surgeon. 

Workshop for Kalajatha artists at district and taluka level and Kalajatha performances 

Under this activity, it was proposed to organise six-day workshop – one at the district level 

and one each at Taluka level – mainly to train master trainers and artists and to develop 

scripts for one-act street plays, skits and songs. According to the original proposal 

submitted to and sanctioned by the MOHFW, the Tumkur ZSS was supposed to organize 

one district-level workshop to train the master-trainers (two from each Taluka). The two 

master-trainers from each Taluka, intern, are supposed to train 20 artists from the respective 

Taluka in a separate Taluka-level workshop. Thus each Taluka will have its own Kalajatha 

troupe to perform in all major Jathras (fairs) and festivals in that Taluka. But the total 

number of Kalajatha performances to be organized is not mentioned either in the proposal or 

in the list of sanctioned activities. An amount of Rs. 93,000 was sanctioned for organizing 

these workshops. No separate funds were asked for staging these Kalajatha performances. 

However, only one training programme was organized at the district-level to train Kalajatha 

artists – two from each Taluka – and only one Kalajatha troupe was formulated for the 

district as a whole. These Kalajathas were organized in around 20 pre-selected villages in 

each Taluka, instead of organizing them in major jathras and festivals as it was earlier 

proposed. 

The training programme was organized to train the selected artists in street plays, folk songs 

and folk dances. The programme was organized for six days during 21-26 March 2000 at 

Krishi Vignan Kendra Chikkanahalli, Sira Taluka, covering 18 prominent artists from the 

ten Talukas deputed by the respective TSS Co-ordinators. The resource persons included 

Director, Neenasam Art School, a T.V.serial artist and the ZSS Secretary Mysore. A total 

amount of Rs.25,000 was spent on this training programme. 

During this training programme, the scripts developed by the Tumkur ZSS Secretary for one 

street play, two folk-dances, one Rupaka and one folk-song (gigipada) were shared with the 

resource persons and finalized. Since the scripts for Kalajatha were developed by the ZSS 

Secretary himself based on his experience in other RCH training programmes, no separate 

workshop for the development of scripts was organized, although it was proposed and 

sanctioned. 

During the first five days of training programme, the artists practised street play, folk 

dances, Rupaka and gigipada. Last day, all the TSS Co-ordinators were involved in the 

discussion on the modalities of Kalajatha campaign. The TSS Co-ordinators were asked to 

prepare a list of about 25-30 villages in their respective Talukas where the Kalajatha can be 

performed. Guidelines were to select villages based on their remoteness, SC/ST dominated 

areas and where health facilities are not available. During the same training programme, a 

40 


Kalajatha troupe for the district as a whole was constituted. The Kalajatha troupe consisted 

of 16 artists (4 females and 12 males), one of the ZSS District Co-ordinators and a person to 

write on the walls. 

The ZSS printed a handbill containing the Taluka-wise villages where the Kalajatha will be 

performed, along with date and time, and distributed to all Taluka Co-ordinators. The Coordinator 

of the TSS shouldered the responsibility of organizing the street plays and 

folksongs in villages as per the list and the time schedule. 

The Kalajatha troupes performed in four villages a day – one in the morning, one in the 

afternoon, one in the evening and one in the night – thus covering the selected villages in a 

Taluka in five or six days. The selected villages were relatively bigger, road-side villages 

along a travel route. The selection of villages was also based, to some extent, on the 

expected co-operation from the local Panchayat. Against the planned performances in 237 

villages, Kalajathas were performed in 232 villages, during 10 April to 20 June, 2000, 

covering all the ten Talukas. A total of Rs.76,500 was spent on Kalajathas in the form of 

honorarium to the 17 members of the troupe (@ Rs. 75 per day for 60 days). In addition, the 

TSSs provided gifts in the form of wall-clocks, jugs etc. to Kalajatha artists. 

The performances were well-publicized through the handbills distributed to the concerned 

Gram Panchayats. The Executive Officer of the Taluka Panchayat requested all the Gram 

Panchayats to ensure adequate publicity about Kalajatha and local hospitality for the 

members of the troupe. The Taluka Saksharmitra Samiti also made an appeal, well in 

advance, to all the elected representatives, government employees, teachers, Anganwadi 

workers, the local Health Department, Panchayat/Village Co-ordinators, and representatives 


On reaching the village, the Kalajatha walked through the village singing folk songs and 

inviting the residents to come and watch the street plays. The troupe performed the street 

play (Mahamari), two folk dances, a Rupaka on age at marriage and a gigipada on 

population explosion in all selected villages of the district. At the end of each play, a 

narrator explained in detail the gist of the play and provided clear and comprehensive 

message on RCH issues covered in the plays. In most of the villages, the performance was 

organised in the school premises or front of the Gram Panchayat Office or in front of a 

Temple or near the bus stop. Duration of each performance was about 2 hours. During the 

Kalajatha performance, the troupes also distributed to the public a handbill in Kannada 

prepared by the ZSS. 

The four-page handbill titled Reproductive and Child Health Services, was developed by the 

Secretary and Treasurer of ZSS with the help of RCH materials available with the health 

department. The handbill was finalized after discussions with the health department 

personnel. The contents of the handbill include: (1) problems of over-population, (2) AIDS - 

modes of transmission, symptoms and prevention and (3) RTIs and STIs. About 5,000 

handbills were printed. 

41 


While the Kalajatha was being performed in the village, selected messages on RCH were 

written on the walls of Anganawadi, school, GP, bus stop etc. by a painter who 

accompanied the troupe. Twenty-five slogans for use in wall writings were selected by the 

ZSS based on the materials obtained from the health department. 

Only the script for the street play was made available for the evaluation team for analysis. 

The street play Mahamari provided messages on modes of transmission, prevention and 

misconceptions of AIDS. Interestingly, the play asks the patients to sterilize the needles 

before the injection (to boil the needle in water), and does not mention the use of condom as 

a preventive measure. Veeragase Kunita (a folk dance), gives the message on danger signs 

of diarrhoea, its prevention and treatment. Karpalmela (another folk dance) highlights the 

importance of breastfeeding. A Rupaka (no name) spread the message on age at marriage 

and a gigipada provides the message on population explosion. 

As mentioned earlier, the selected 12 villages for the evaluation included 10 villages where 

Kalajatha was carried out. Detailed discussions were held with the concerned Gram 

Panchayat officials/village co-ordinator as well as the health officials. During the interviews 

with the TSS co-ordinators as well and Taluka-level health functionaries also, their remarks 

on kalajatha were collected. Following are some of the remarks made by the various ZSS 

and Health personnel interviewed: 

1. During the campaign period, many people have appreciated the work of ZSS and 

expressed that if the ZSS had conducted these programmes about 15-20 year’s back they 

should have limited their family size instead of having 4 or 5 children. 

2. Some villagers have met the Deputy Commissioner to press for more programmes in 

their villages and assured him that they are ready to extend any kind of help to organise 

such programmes in their villages. 

3. In some villages, people have waited upto 2 A.M. in the morning to watch the Kalajatha 

performance. 

4. Among the various RCH-IEC activities, the street plays and folk songs are the most 

effective. 





exposure to other mass media like posters, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets etc is very 

poor in rural areas. 

7. The street plays and folk songs are more effective because it uses folk medium and local 

artists. They give entertainment that is often absent in villages; attract huge crowd and 


illiterate mass. 

8. Since, the messages through street plays and folk songs were communicated using open 

stage, people do not have any hesitation to talk and discuss about various health issues. 

They also come forward to clear their doubts and misconception. Since the messages 

through street plays and folk songs were communicated using open stage, people do not 

42 


have any hesitation to talk and discuss about various health issues. They also come 

forward to clear their doubts and misconception. 

9. The rural people, who depend mainly on daily wages for their livelihood, will not come 

to see such performances if conducted during the daytime. Hence such activities should 













among the people, to know about various health issues and facilities available to them. It 

was reported that after the staging of street plays and folksongs in one of the village a 

person realised his mistake of sending his wife to her home for not delivering a male 

child and brought her back. 

15. Appreciating the work of ZSS, some health department people expressed that they never 

conducted these types of mass programmes and opined that such programmes should be 

continued. 

16. It was reported by some of the grass-root level health workers that this type of 

programme made their work simple and easy. For example, after watching these street 

plays and folk songs, women are coming forward to accept Copper-T and the demand 

for ORS and nirodh has increased. 

17. People who did not listen to the words of ANM when she visits their houses are now 

watching the street play and folk songs completely and following the messages 

provided. 

One-day orientation programme on sex education to youths at taluka level 

The sanctioned proposal has a provision to organise one-day orientation to 50 youths in each 

taluka on sex education. The proposal aims to clarify the myths and misconceptions that 

exist among the youth about sex, and to provide them a brief orientation on sexually 

transmitted diseases and AIDS. An amount of Rs. 25,000 was sanctioned for this activity. 

However, the target group for this activity has been changed from youths to literacy workers 

(again without informing the MOHFW). 

Each TSS Co-ordinator was asked to organise two one-day workshops separately for 50 

males and 50 females who had actively worked in TLC/PLC, had good communication 

skills, married and preferably below 40 years of age. The ZSS prepared a timetable for this 

activity and distributed to Taluka Co-ordinators, which contained dates of the training 

programme in each Taluka, place, number of participants, resource persons, organising 

43 


officials and supervisory officials. The respective Taluka Medical Officer was the resource 

person for the training programme. Occasionally, the DHEO and DNO were also invited as 

resource persons. Each participant was given a pen, writing-pad and a RCH handbook – 

Arogyadangala – developed by ZSS, Tumkur. The resource persons gave lectures on the 

topics covered in the handbook, such as the availability of different RCH services, age at 

marriage, breastfeeding, anaemia, night-blindness, ARI, diarrhoea, spacing methods of 

family planning, MTP, AIDS and RTI/STI. The orientation programme lasted for about 

five hours, on an average. About 500 males and 500 females were trained under this 

activity during January-March, 2000 and an amount of Rs. 82,150 was spent towards 

TA/DA to participants, honorarium to resource persons and stationary. 

The RCH handbook – Arogyadangala – was printed by Tumkur ZSS based on the materials 

collected from the Directorate of Health Services, Bangalore and the Tumkur District health 

officials. The handbook contains information on the following 21 themes covering various 

RCH issues: 

1. What are the different RCH services? 

2. Age at marriage 

3. Postpartum programme 

4. Breastfeeding 

5. Prevention of infant and child deaths 

6. Malnutrition 

7. Anaemia 

8. Importance of Vitamin A 

9. Infant and child feeding 

10. ARI 

11. Diarrhoea 

12. Temporary methods of family planning for men 

13. Oral pills 

14. Copper-T 

15. Problems and solutions – permanent methods of family planning for women 

16. Laproscopy 

17. Let this be known to you – permanent methods of family planning for men 

18. MTP 

19. Population growth 

20. AIDS 

21. RTI/STI 

It is reported that about 20 days were taken to compile the handbook, and 2000 copies were 

printed. 

One day orientation programme for men parlor workers 

The sanctioned proposal has a provision to organise one-day orientation to 25 men parlour 

workers in each Taluka. The purpose of this training, according to the ZSS Secretary, was to 

provide scientific knowledge to the men-parlour workers on symptoms of sexually transmitted 

44 


diseases, their prevention, and maintaining cleanliness of sexual organs etc. After receiving the 

training, these men are expected to spread the correct and scientific knowledge to their clients. 

An amount of Rs. 12,500 was sanctioned for this activity. 

Under this activity, each Taluka co-ordinator was asked to organise one-day training 

programme on RCH issues to about 30 men parlour workers in their area. The training was 

organised preferably on the weekly holiday (Tuesday) for the saloons. In most cases, 

respective Taluka Co-ordinators themselves acted as resource persons for these training 

programmes. The duration of the training was about four hours, on an average. A total of 

270 men parlour workers were trained in November 2000 covering all the ten Talukas. A 

total of Rs. 15,000 was spent for this orientation programme. 

The training was based on a separate handout specially developed (in Kannada) for the 

purpose by the ZSS. The handout contained information on the following topics: (1) the 

role of parlours in promoting the knowledge on sex education (2) the type of education that 

can be carried out in salons (3) masturbation (4) anxiety over the size, shape and length of 

the penis (5) semen (6) pornography (7) reasons for population explosion and precautionary 

measures (8) symptoms and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and (9) AIDS – 

misconceptions, causes and solutions. 

In addition, a poster specially developed by the ZSS was distributed to the participants for 

displaying in saloons. However, the poster did not contain the information directly relevant 

to the men parlour workers or their clients. The poster entitled Reproductive and Child 

Health Services – contained slogans such as (1) healthy mother, healthy child (2) use Nirodh 

to avoid AIDS (3) we two and ours one (4) the child who is fed nutritious food is beautiful 

(5) give health education to adolescents for a beautiful future. 

The ZSS experienced initial difficulties in organizing these training programmes in the form 

of resistance from the men parlour workers. The barbers expressed their fear of loosing 

clients if they participate in such training programmes, and hence refused to involve in the 

programme. But after they were convinced about the importance of the training, the workers 

were ready to participate in the training. Many barbers said that since Independence, no one 

has recognized their role in the society and now under the RCH-IEC programme they are 

ready to work as ‘teachers’ in society. 

Some of the Taluka level ZSS and health functionaries interviewed expressed that the 

barbers are now using new blade for each client and the people also are demanding the 

barber to use new blades – as an impact of the training programme. The TSS Co-ordinators 

also reported that many of the participant barbers appreciated the training programme and 

opined that training should be given to all the barbers in the district. 

One-day orientation programme for adolescent girls 

According to the proposal, one-day orientation programme will be organized for adolescent 

girls (both those who have attained menarche and those who have not) on issues relating to 

the cleanliness and hygiene during menstruation. Accordingly, 50 girls in each Taluka will 

45 


e given this orientation with the help of the female Health Assistant. An amount of Rs. 

25,000 was sanctioned for this orientation programme. 

Differing from the original project proposal, the orientation was organised in two phases. 

During the first phase, selected lady teachers/head mistress of high schools, ANMs, 

Anganawadi workers and female unemployed graduates from all the Talukas of the district 

were given a one-day orientation on adolescents on 16 August, 2000 at Tumkur. The Taluka 

Medical Officer (lady), Gubbi served as resource person. The orientation was provided 

based on a handbook - Moggarali Huvagi - developed by ZSS, Tumkur. About 50 persons 

at the rate of 4-5 per Taluka participated in this first level of orientation. Each participant 

was given the said handbook, and was instructed to give orientation to all the high-school 

and college girls in their respective Talukas based on the handbook. 

During second phase of this orientation programme, the Deputy Commissioner wrote a letter 

to DDPI, BEOs and headmaster/headmistress of high schools requesting them to spare a 

session in highschools and Junior colleges to provide knowledge on RCH issues to girl 

students. Each Taluka Co-ordinator prepared a time schedule for organizing this orientation 

programme after meeting the concerned officials of each high school/junior college in the 

Taluka. The schedule included the date, name of the school/college, number of girls students, 

resource person, and number of batches in which the orientation is to be conducted. In 

schools/colleges where the number of girl students exceeded 50, orientation was done in 

batches. The trainers already trained during the first phase carried out the orientation to 

school/college girl students following the time schedule prepared by the TSS Co-ordinator. 

About 44,000 girls from 500 high schools and Junior colleges are reported to have been 

provided orientation, during later half of August, 2000. An amount of Rs. 25,000 was spent on 

this activity as the honorarium to the resource persons at the rate of Rs.50 per high 

school/college. 

The eight-page brochure used for the orientation of adolescent girls – Moggarali Huvagi 

(literally meaning blossoming of the flower bud) – was developed by Tumkur ZSS based on 

RCH materials from the State Resource Centre, Mysore, and finalized after discussion with 

the DHEO. A total of 75,000 copies of the brochure are printed and distributed to 

adolescent girls and resource persons who participated in the orientation programme. The 

brochure introduces the following topics with certain illustrations (line drawings): (1) 

Growth and changes during adolescence, (2) body changes in boys and girls during 

adolescence, (3) the meaning of menstruation, (4) precautions to be followed during 

menstruation (5) use of sanitary napkins during menstruation (6) AIDS – modes of 

transmission, symptoms, prevention, (7) Reproductive Tract Infections (8) Duties of 

adolescents. 

According to the ZSS secretary and many Taluka Co-ordinators, this orientation programme 

was very successful. Some TSS co-ordinators opined that the training programme helped girls 

a lot as this type of information is generally not given either by the parents or by the teachers. 

It was reported that several girls had written to them in a post card appreciating the training 

programme and requested to repeat the same atleast once every year. On some occasions, the 

46 


help of resource persons was sought by some girls to their health problems. Many head 

masters have also expressed their satisfaction and have pressed the TSS to organize more such 

programmes. The DNO reported that following this orientation, she has referred to doctors 

some of the girls who approached for health problems. 

Orientation training camps for neo-literates 

This activity was not a part of the original proposal from the Tumkur ZSS, but was included 

by the MOHFW in their list of sanctioned activities under the scheme. The number of 

participants was to be decided by the ZSS. An amount of Rs. 7,400 was sanctioned against 

this activity. However, this activity has not been organized (till the date of this evaluation) in 

the district. As noted earlier, this item was dropped in the action plan revised (unilaterally) by 

the ZSS. 

Convention of eligible couple at Panchayat level 

Wall Writings 

The Tumkur ZSS had proposed to organize 320 conventions of eligible couples at Panchayat 

level for a budget of Rs. 160,000. However, the proposal did not provide details on the 

number, purpose and strategies of these conventions. The MOHFW approved 200 such 

conventions to be organized in the district and sanctioned an amount of Rs. 100,000 for the 

purpose. However, this activity has not been organized (till the date of this evaluation) in the 

district. As noted earlier, this item was dropped in the action plan revised (unilaterally) by the 

ZSS. 

The MOHFW sanctioned its approval for 5000 wall-writings (Rs. 50,000) against the 

proposed 10,000 wall-writings. As mentioned earlier, this activity was carried out along 

with the Kalajatha. A member of the Kalajatha troupe was instructed to write RCH 

messages on the walls of the Anganawadi, schools, GP, bus stop etc while the Kalajatha was 

being performed in the village. He was given a paint and brush. A total amount of Rs. 4,500 

was spent on this activity including Rs. 75 per day to the wall-writer. 

The evaluation team came across wall writings in the selected villges of all Talukas except 

Kunigal where it was reported that the wall writer left the campaign in the middle due to 

local body elections. 

The ZSS prepared the following 24 slogans in Kannada (the related topics are mentioned in 

parentheses) on RCH issues for use in wall-writings: 

1. Muttina Samayadalli Swechatheyena Palisy (Hygiene during menstruation) 

2. Bahu sangatiyarondige sarasa-nemmadiya badukige viras (Safe sex) 

3. Banthu banthu AIDS mari- priti nemmadi yellavu parari (AIDS) 

4. Yedehalu utkrusta aahara- adu kudida magu balu sundara (Importance of 

breastfeeding). 

5. ORS panaka kudisi- maguvina prana ulisi (ORS). 

47 


6. Manegondu magu - manetumba nagu (Family size). 

7. Gharbhini hengasige kabbinanshada korate-adu tandodguvadu aakege rakta hinate 

(IFA during pregnancy). 

8. Pancha shuchitva palisi-shishuvige marana tappisi (Cleanliness during delivery). 

9. Herigeinda herigege irali antara- maguvina belavanige purna chandira (Child spacing) 

10. Polio hani hakisi- makkala angavikalate tappisi (Polio vaccine). 

11. Melinda mele gharbhapatha - hennina aarogya kusita (Abortion). 

12. Nakali vaidyarinda gharbhapata- hennina badukigidu aaghata (Safe abortion). 

13. Ati santana jivan bhara-mita santana huvin hara (Family size). 

14. Dadar lasike hakisi-makkala marana tappisi (Measles vaccine). 

15. Sakaladalli 'A' annanag kodisi - makkala andhatwa nivarisi (Vitamin 'A'). 

16. Anapekshita gharbadharane beda- adarinda sankata kadide noda (Unwanted pregnancy). 

17. Vasectomy vidhana surakshita- purushanige adu alla bhadita (Vasectomy). 

18. Magu huttida kudale adehalu kodi-jenutuppa, haralenne,, sakkare toredubidi 

(Breastfeeding immediately after birth). 

19. Atisara bhedi apaya- ORS panaka upaya (Diarrhoea and ORS). 

20. Janasankhya hechhala-abhiruddige upatala (Population explosion). 

21. Balige gone vande- balige magu vande (One child family). 

22. Nirodha tappade balisi- AIDS doora sarasi (Use nirodh to avoid AIDS). 

23. Banantige poustika aahara- taayi maguvina belavanigege adhara (Nutrition for 

lactating mothers). 

24. Antarada herigege Copper-T balesi- janasankhya spota taggisi (Use of Copper- T for 

spacing) 

Competitions and prizes at school/college level 

The ZSS Tumkur had proposed to organise essay, debate and other competitions among the 

students of high schools/colleges in the district. The topic, number of such competitions to 

be organised etc,. are not mentioned in the proposal. The MOHFW has sanctioned an 

amount of Rs. 60,000 for the proposed activity. 

The competitions are held only among the girl students and the prizes (for the first three 

winners) are distributed at the Taluka level by the TSS Co-ordinators in the schools and 

colleges of their respective Talukas. The two topics provided by the ZSS to TSS are: 

‘healthy woman healthy society’ for essay competition and ‘whether sex education should 

be included in school/college syllabus’ for the debate competition. 

According to the respective TSS Co-ordinators, this activity was completed in Kunigal, 

Gubbi and Madhugiri Talukas. No money was released yet from the ZSS towards this 

activity to various Taluka Samitis. 

RCH- IEC activities conducted other than the proposed 

The ZSS, Tumkur organised two RCH-IEC activities other than the ones sanctioned under 

the scheme: cycle jatha (once) and auto jathas (thrice) for pulse polio campaigns held during 

October-January, 2000. These activities were included in the action plan revised 

48 


(unilaterally), and an amount of Rs. 45,000 from the sanctioned amount was ear-marked for 

these activities. 

Cycle Jatha for Pulse Polio campaign 

The responsibility of organising the cycle jatha was given to the respective TSS Coordinators. 

The ZSS released Rs.1,250 per Taluka and supplied handbills containing the 

messages on pulse polio and other campaign materials (paper caps to be worn by the 

volunteers, paper flags, etc.). 

Accordingly each Taluka organized 4-5 Jathas (one in each Hobli), each consisting of 10-15 

volunteers. Each volunteer was given a bicycle, pulse polio cap, banner and handbills 

containing messages on importance of polio, date, time and place of polio immunisation. 

Each Jatha was given the route map. The Jatha toured the selected villages of the Taluka 

with shouting pulse polio slogans and distributed the handbills to the general public. In each 

Taluka, either the THO, BEO, Tahasildar or EO of TP inaugurated the cycle Jatha. The 

volunteers were given tea and tiffin. 

This activity was completed in all the Talukas of the district, except Pavgad, before 12 

October, 1999. About 30,000 handbills were printed by the ZSS and given to each Taluka. 

Rs. 15,000 was spent on this activity. About 20-30 percent of villages in each taluka are said 

to have been covered under this activity. 

Auto Jatha for Pulse Polio campaign 

Each Taluka co-ordinator was asked to organise two-day auto-Jathas one or two days before 

each of the three rounds of pulse polio programmes (21 November, 19 December, 1999 and 

23 January, 2000). 

An amount of Rs.1250 was released by the ZSS to each TSS to hire an auto and a mike for 

each of the three Jathas. Additionally, for each round of the Jatha (for the third round of 

auto-jatha, no handbills were printed for shortage of funds), about 40,000 handbills 

(containing messages on pulse polio – date, time and place) were printed and distributed to 

the Talukas. The ZSS also supplied an audio cassette, developed by the Directorate of 

Health Services, Bangalore, containing messages on pulse polio, to be played during the 

Jatha. 

The TSS Co-ordinator and a literacy volunteer sat inside the auto and a cassette containing 

the messages on pulse polio was played throughout the rural and urban areas of the Taluka, 

and distributed the handbills to the public. In each Taluka the jatha was inaugurated by 

either MLA or Executive Officer of TP or BEO or the MO. About 50 percent of the villages 

in each taluka and few urban slums were covered during the jatha. 

Some of the Saksharmitra functionaries reported that because of these jathas, the parents 

themselves bring their children for pulse polio programme and there is no need now, as in 

49 


previous years, for the Anganwadi workers and health department personnel to go door to 

door for bringing children for Pulse Polio. 

It may be noted here that during personal interviews with the selected community members 

from the selected villages, only few people have reported that the cycle or auto jatha had 

come to their village for propagating the messages on pulse polio immunisation. 


As mentioned in the earlier section, only after the receipt of the money from MOHFW, 

the ZSS realised that the RCH-IEC activities have to be implemented through them. 

According to the Secretary, it was decided to prepare an action plan in a district level 

meeting that organised during 13-14 December, 1999 and this meeting was attended by 

DC, DHO, RCH Officer, DHEO. The action plan was prepared and finalised during the 

meeting organised on 15 December, 1999 to sensitise the district level officials on 

various RCH issues. The action plan mainly envisages involving TSSs and Manavikas 

Kendras for implementing various RCH-IEC activities. The action plan also provided the 

anticipated month of completing various RCH-IEC activities without modifying the 

activities sanctioned by the MOHFW. 


the evaluation study is presented in Table 4. 

Overall, the activities that are proposed and sanctioned are reported to have been carried 

out or under progress. However, the large number of sanctioned awareness camps for 

different categories of people at the district, Taluka and Village/GP levels have been 

combined with one another. However, the way the camps are combined is not uniform 

across Talukas. In the absence of a uniform instructions from the ZSS coupled with lack 

of proper communication between the ZSS and the TSSs, the TSSs have organized 

different activities according to their own understanding of the activities to be carried out. 

The TSS Secretaries also reported that although the ZSS had instructed the TSSs to 

carryout various activities under the scheme, no fund (except a small amount of Rs. 

4000/-) was released to the TSSs from the scheme for almost 12 months – from 

December 1999 to December 2000. 

The following is the detailed discussion about the various activities sanctioned and 

organised in the District through ZSS. 

Young Mothers Jathas 

As per the proposal, about 204 young mothers' jathas have to be organised in the district as a 

whole. The proposal did not indicate the details about this activity such as the number of 

participants, the age group of the mothers, the executing agency etc. The amount sanctioned 

for this activity is Rs. 20,400. 

50 


During the evaluation study it was observed that this activity has not yet been organised. 

However, the ZSS has reported to the MOHFW, in one of its monthly reports, that 20 

Young Mothers’ Jathas were organized in the district. But upon further probe by the 

evaluation team, it was revealed that during some of the other orientation programmes, 

young mothers came in a procession, which is treated as Young Mothers’ Jathas. Since no 

money was spent separately for these Jathas, the MOHFW was informed about the 

completion of 20 Jathas, with the entire amount sanctioned for this item as unspent balance. 

Awareness Camps for Adolescent Girls 

According to the sanctioned proposal, the ZSS has to carry out 500 awareness camps for 

adolescent girls, and an amount of Rs. 100,000 has been sanctioned for the same. The 

proposal is silent about the purpose of the training, topics to be covered, number of 

adolescent girls to be trained etc. 

The Secretary, ZSS reported that this activity intended to provide one-day orientation 

training to adolescent girls of high schools and Junior Colleges of the district. 

Differing from the original project proposal, the orientation was organised in two phases. 

During the first phase, selected Senior Health Inspectors, Block Health Educators, Taluka 

Saksharatha Samiti Co-ordinators, Taluka Health Education Officer, Veterinary Doctors and 

College Lectures from all the talukas of the district were given a three-day orientation on 

adolescents during 18-20 November, 2000 at Sunanda Maitri Sagar Residential Training 

School, Kolar. The resource persons for the training programmes were: Sri. Venkatesh and 

Smt. Mamata from State Resource Centre, Mysore; Dr. Chandrshekhar, NIMHANS, 

Bangalore; Smt. Pankaja, Prasanna Counselling Centre, Kolar; Dr. Srinivas, RCH Officer 

Kolar; Dr, Krishnamurthy, District Laboratory Medical Officer, Kolar; and Sri. Kodi 

Rangappa, State Resource Person, Kolar. Deputy Commissioner and DHO were invited as 

chief guests for the programme. The topics discussed in this orientation programme were 

mainly based on the chapter namely Adolescents Problems and Soulations in the book 

titled Source Book on Population and Development Education developed by the SRC, 

Mysore. About 65 persons at the rate of 5-6 per Taluka participated in this first-level 

orientation programme. 

Each participant was given the said source book, and was instructed to give orientation to all 

the high-school and college students in their respective Talukas based on the chapter on 

Adolescents Problems and Solutions. An amount of Rs. 27,000 was spent on this 

orientation programme. 

The Secretary reported that an eight-page brochure has been developed by Sri. Kodi 

Rangappa and it was decided to distribute the same to the adolescent girls who participate in 

the awareness camps. At the time of the evaluation study, the said brochure was not printed. 

The Secretary reported that the brochure would be printed after consultation with the 

officials from health department. 

51 


During second phase of this orientation programme, the Deputy Commissioner wrote a letter 

to DDPI, BEOs and headmaster/headmistress of high schools requesting them to spare a 

session in high schools and Junior colleges to provide knowledge on RCH issues to students. 

Each Taluka Co-ordinator prepared a time schedule for organizing this orientation programme 

after meeting the concerned officials of each high school/junior college in the Taluka. The 

schedule included the date, name of the school/college, number of students, resource person, 

and number of batches in which the orientation is to be conducted. The trainers already trained 

during the first phase carried out the orientation to school/college students following the time 

schedule prepared by the TSS Co-ordinator. A total of 675 awareness camps for adolescent 

girls and boys are planned as against the sanctioned 500 in the district. Against the 675 

awareness camps proposed, 85 have been organized so far. 

At the time of evaluation, this activity was initiated and ongoing in all the Talukas, except 

Mulbagilu and Bangerapet. In many occasions the strength of the participants exceeded more 

than 150. No Taluka has received money to organize the activity. The expense towards tea and 

coffee was met by the Taluka co-ordinators from their pocket. Similarly, this activity was not 

organized exclusively for girls as proposed. In some cases, general public also participated in 

these awareness camps. 

According to the ZSS Secretary and many Taluka Co-ordinators, this orientation programme 

was very successful. Some TSS co-ordinators opined that the training programme helped girls 

a lot, as this type of information is generally not given either by the parents or by the teachers. 

On some occasions, the help of resource persons was sought by some girls to solve their 

health problems. Many head masters have also expressed their satisfaction and have pressed 

the TSS to organize more such programmes. LHVs/ANMs expressed that after this training 

programme, girls are asking many questions on their health problems and she has referred 

some of them to doctors. One lady medical officer from a PHC in the Malur Taluka reported 

that some boys came to consult her after this awareness camp. 

Awareness Camps for Health Assistants 

The sanctioned proposal has a provision to organise 114 awareness camps for health 

department personnel at PHC level. Purpose, duration, topics, executing agency etc are not 

mentioned in the sanctioned proposal. An amount of Rs. 11,400 was sanctioned for this 

activity. 

Under this activity, ZSS has organised only one awareness camp for all the Taluka Medical 

Officers, Medical Officers of the PHCs, all the Block Health Educators, all the LHVs and all 

the Senior health inspectors of the district on 5 August 2000 at DHO conference hall. The 

resource persons for the awareness camp included Dr. Khaji, AIDS Officer, Kolar and Sri. 

Vekataramanajee, DHEO, Kolar. Dr. Khaji talked on AIDS and DHEO spoke on all RCH 

issues. About 120 persons participated in the programme. A total of Rs.11,400 (exactly the 

amount sanctioned) was spent on this activity. 

The sanctioned proposal required the ZSS to organise 114 awareness camps at PHC level, 

but instead of organising this activity in each PHC, the awareness camp was organized at the 

district level. 

52 


Awareness Camps for Literacy Workers 

As per the sanctioned proposal, the ZSS has to organise a total of 300 awareness camps for 

literacy workers, against the proposed 500 such camps. Details about the purpose, duration, 

topics, executing agency, number of literacy workers etc. were not provided in the 

sanctioned proposal. An amount of Rs. 60,000 was sanctioned for this activity. 

This activity was organised in two phases. In the first phase, the active literacy workers in 

each Taluka were identified and trained on RCH issues in three training workshops, each 

covering different areas of the district. 

The first training workshop was organized for 176 selected literacy workers, one each from 

the selected Manavikas Kendras (Learning Centres) from three Talukas (Chintamani, 

Shidlaghatta and Srinivaspura) in Chintamani at Gurubhavan on 5 January, 2000. The 

training was conducted in three simultaneous batches each consisting of about 50-60 literacy 

workers. The DHO, DHEO, RCH Officer, THO Chintamani and State Resource Person, 

Kolar were the resource persons. The topics covered are population and development, 

adolescent problems and solutions, RTIs/STDs, AIDS, reproductive rights, gender equality 

etc. Each participant was given a pen, a file and a pad. A total of Rs. 15,600 was spent for 

this activity. 

Another training programme for 217 literacy workers from Chikballapur, Gouribidnur, 

Gudibande and Bagepalli Talukas was organised in Chikballapur at BCM Hostel on 18 

January, 2000. MLAs of these four Talukas attended the programme as chief guests. DHEO, 

THO, Chikballapur and Senior Health Inspector, Chikballapur were the resource persons 

and spoke on population and development, adolescent problems and solutions, RTIs/STDs, 

AIDS, reproductive rights, gender equality etc. Each participant was given a pen, a file and 

a pad. A total of Rs. 20,400 was spent for this activity. 

The third training programme was organised in the Nachikethana Vidyarthi Nilaya, Kolar 

on 22 January, 2000. About 235 literacy workers from Kolar, Kolar town, Mulbagilu, KGF, 

Bangarpet and Malur Talukas were participated in this programme. The DHO, DHEO, RCH 

officer and Asst. Director for Women and Child development were the resource persons and 

spoke on population and development, adolescent problems and solutions, RTIs/STDs, 

AIDS, reproductive rights, gender equality etc. Each participant was given a pen, a file and 

a pad. A total of Rs. 24,000 was spent for this activity. 

During the second stage, these trained literacy workers have to organise awareness camps in 

the Manavikas Kendras of their villages for providing knowledge on RCH issues to neoliterates, 

semi-literates and the general public in their respective villages. The Secretary 

ZSS, reported that all the Talukas have initiated these awareness camps. 

For the same, each Taluka co-ordinator with the help of block co-ordinators prepared a 

timetable providing the details about the villages, place and time of these awareness camps 

and this timetable was given to the trained literacy workers. For organising the awareness 

53 


camp in various villages, first a letter was sent to the GP secretary through the Executive 

Officer of the Taluka Panchayat for providing full co-operation and arranging for the 

adequate publicity about the programme. The message on the awareness camp was given to 

the people in advance through GP members, Anganwadi workers and school teachers and 

requested them to attend the camp. In some villages GP arranged Tam Tam (Dangura). The 

awareness camps were arranged either in Anganwadi centre or school or panchayat office or 

mahila mandal. 

The Medical officer of the PHC or BHE or LHV provided knowledge on RCH issues. The 

topics discussed in the SRC book (mentioned earlier) were generally included in these 

camps. Depending upon the size of the village, the participants varied from 10 to 250. 

No money from the scheme was used for carrying out this activity. The various TSS Coordinators 

reported that some Gram Panchayats spent money for organising these camps. 

During the evaluation study, it was found that the target groups for these camps varied from 

Taluka to Taluka. Some Talukas have conducted this activity only for Mahila Mandal 

members and in some other Talukas this activity was organised for the general public. The 

month of organising these camps also varied among Talukas. For example, some Talukas 

started the awareness camps in the month of June, 2000 and some Talukas initiated this 

activity only in the month of December, 2000. 

It seems that no efforts were taken to include the neo-literates and semi-literates in these 

awareness camps. Even in the bigger villages the number of participants is very small which 

indicates that such camps were organised very poorly. In one village, the training 

programme was organised on a market day that too in the market itself so as to mobilise 

more people. In another village, teachers sent the students from the school to bring their 

parents for the training programme. 


RCH-IEC activity was carried out. Detailed discussions were held with the concerned Gram 

Panchayat officials/village co-ordinator as well as the health officials. During the interviews 

with the TSS co-ordinators as well and Taluka-level health functionaries, their remarks on 

the awareness camps were collected. Following are some of the remarks made by the 

various ZSS and Health personnel interviewed: 

1. These types of activities are required because developmental activities are less as most 

of the Talukas are bordering Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh. Also, health personnel 

visiting various villages enquire only the general health of the public and do not provide 

messages to them. 

2. People have to go to various health centres and knowledge on various health aspects was 

not provided to them. But the Saksharata Samiti provides knowledge on various health 

aspects directly to the public without any money motive 

3. Gram Panchayat officials will co-operate in Saksharata Samiti’s activities because the 

letters are coming from the Executive officers and thus the co-operation from the public 

is more. 

54 


4. Some health personnel reported that the Samitis organise this type of activity very well 

and more effective due to the involvement of various government departments. However 

health department personnel can not organise such activities more effectively due to its 

involvement in various health programmes. 

5. The Samiti’s activities involve local volunteers and local leaders who can arrange more 

people to participate in these camps and thus messages reach more people. 

6. The grass-root level workers use the local Anganwadi workers to mobilise community 

members and will target only ANC, PNC and children under 5. But the Saksharata 

Samitis approach attracts all sections of the community. 

7. The villagers are asking the grass root-level health workers to provide various types of 

health services, which they were not aware before these camps. 

8. After these RCH awareness camps, the husbands stopped beating their wives. 

9. People have started consuming more green leafy vegetables after being exposed to the 

camp. 

10. Due to these activities, the villagers are able to identify the quacks and stop visiting them 

for any health services. 

11. This type of activity will help to improve the Saksharta Samiti’s contact with the 

community members in general. 

12. In some villages the awareness camp was not organised because the resource person did 

not come and in some villages due to the poor turn out of the public, the camp had to be 

cancelled. 

13. The duration of such programmes is less to cover and to clear doubts on various RCH 

issues. 

14. In some of the selected villages, the health personnel interviewed reported that such 

camps were organised by the health department and not by the ZSS. 

15. Some Gram Panchayat members interviewed revealed that they did not get any prior 

notice about the camp. For example, one Chairman reported that the Anganwadi worker 

asked her to participate in the camp on the same day when it was organised, so she 

refused to attend the camp. 

16. Some health functionaries at the PHC level reported that in the month of December, 

2000 there is an instruction from the Taluka Medical Officer to organise awareness 

camps on RCH for the public since the Population Research Centre, Dharwad is 

conducting an evaluation study. Various Taluka Medical Officers in turn received letter 

from the DHO for organising awareness camps at PHC level. 

Awareness Camps for NGO Members 

The sanctioned proposal has a provision for conducting 21 awareness camps for NGO 

members at Taluka level. However, the proposal was silent about the executing agency, the 

purpose, the number of participants, level at which the activity has to be organised and their 

subsequent utilisation in this scheme etc. An amount of Rs. 10,500 was sanctioned for 

carrying out this activity. 

The ZSS secretary reported that this activity has been completed in all the Talukas. 

However, these awareness camps were not conducted separately for the representatives of 

55 


NGOs. Instead, the representatives from various NGOs were invited for the awareness 

camps for Taluka-level department heads. 

An amount of Rs.10,500 was shown as spent on this activity. 

Awareness Camps for Gram Panchayat Members 

The sanctioned proposal has a provision of conducting 22 awareness camps for Gram 

Panchayat members. The proposal did not mention about the implementing agency, the 

purpose and subsequent utilisation of trainees in this programme. The MOHFW sanctioned 

an amount of Rs. 11,000 for organising this activity. 

The ZSS secretary reported that this activity has been completed in all the Talukas. 

However, it is reported that the Gram Panchayat members were invited to participate in the 

awareness camps organised at the village level by literacy workers at Manavikas Kendras 

(as mentioned earlier under the activity Awareness Camps for Literacy Workers). No 

amount was spent on this activity, from the sanctioned budget. 

Awareness Camps for Taluka Panchayat Members 

The MOHFW sanctioned a total of 22 awareness camps to be organised for Taluka 

Panchayat members and an amount of Rs. 11,000 was sanctioned for the same. The proposal 

did not indicate the details such as purpose, executing agency and subsequent utilisation of 

trainees in this scheme. 

According to the ZSS Secretary, this activity was completed in all the Talukas. However, it 

was reported that instead of organising the awareness camps separately for Taluka 

Panchayat members, they were invited to participate in the awareness camps organised for 

Taluka level department heads. No money from the sanctioned budget was spent on this 

activity. 

Awareness Camps for Zilla Panchayat Members 

The sanctioned proposal has a provision of conducting 2 awareness camps for Zilla 

Panchayat members and provided an amount of Rs. 2,000. The proposal is silent on the 

executing agency, purpose of the training programme and utilisation of the trainees. 

The ZSS Secretary reported that this activity has been completed. Differing from the 

original project proposal, the awareness camp for Zilla Panchayat members was organised 

along with the awareness camp for district level department heads. Thus no money was 

spent form the amount approved for this activity. 

Awareness Camp for Taluka Level Department Heads 

The sanctioned proposal has a provision of conducting 11 awareness camps for heads of 

different government departments at Taluka level. However, the proposal did not include the 

56 


details such as the purpose, implementing agency and subsequent utilisation of trainees. An 

amount of Rs. 11,000 was sanctioned for carrying out this activity. 

Under this activity, the Taluka-level heads of various government departments viz. 

Tahasildar, Executive Officer of the Taluka Panchayat, Block Education Officer, Child 

Development Officer, Chief Officer of Municipal Council etc were invited to participate 

in a one-day awareness camp on RCH issues. The respective Taluka Medical Officer was 

involved as the resource person for these camps. The topics covered in these awareness 

camps are; reproductive and child health issues, problems of adolescents and solutions, 

RTIs and STIs, AIDS, reproductive rights, gender equality covered in the source book of 

SRC, Mysore. As mentioned earlier, the members of NGOs, and Taluka Panchayat 

members also participated in these camps. The Taluka co-ordinators were given 

responsibility to organise this activity. The ZSS had released a total amount of Rs. 

11,000 to all the TSSs (@1000 per TSS) to organise this activity. 

These awareness camps for Taluka level heads were organized in all Talukas except 

Kolar, Malur and Bangarpet. The duration of the awareness camps was about 3-5 hours. 

Although there were provisions in the sanctioned proposal to organize separate awareness 

training camps for different categories of people, it was found that in many Talukas 

several types of persons viz. ZP members, TP members, GP presidents/vicepresidents/secretaries, 

nodal officers of the literacy campaigns, block literacy coordinators, 

literacy volunteers and neo-literates also were invited to participate in the 

workshop meant for the Taluka level heads of departments. 

The TSS Co-ordinators informed that in order to make the awareness camp for Taluka level 

Official more effective, the ZSS had instructed them to include other type of participants in 

this awareness camp. It is quite possible that the awareness camps for different categories of 

personnel are combined into one anticipating poor attendance of Taluka level Department 

Heads for these camps as well as to reduce the cost of organizing separate workshops. 

Awareness Camp for District Level Department Heads 

The sanctioned proposal has a provision of conducting 2 awareness camps for District level 

heads. However, the proposal did not include the details such as the purpose, implementing 

agency and subsequent utilisation of trainees. An amount of Rs. 2,000 was sanctioned for 

carrying out this activity. 

As against the sanctioned two awareness camps for the district-level officials, only one camp 

has been organized for the sanctioned amount. The ZSS organized an awareness camp for 

district level heads on 15 December, 1999 at Zilla Panchayat meeting hall between 2 PM to 5- 

30 PM. The Deputy Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer of ZP, ZP members, Planning 

Officer of ZP, District Adult education Officer, Deputy Director for Public Instructions, 

Superintendent of Police, District Co-ordinators of ZSS, TSS Co-ordinators, TSS presidents, 

and TSS Secretaries are participated in the awareness camp. In all, 100 persons had 

participated in this camp. The DHO, RCH officer, and DHEO Kolar were the resource 

persons. The DHO spoke on the importance of health and education of girl child, safe 

57 


motherhood, health education and guidance for healthy sexual life and importance of 

involvement of men in all the RCH programmes. The RCH officer and DHEO talked on 

important features of RCH programme in India, importance of education in availing RCH 

services, gender equality, reproductive rights, population explosion, safe motherhood and role 

of IEC activities in promoting RCH services. The Secretary reported that an amount of Rs. 

2000 was spent on this activity. 

Tin Wall Stenciling 

The sanctioned proposal suggested carrying out 3092 tin wall stencilling. The purpose and 

RCH messages to be stencilled are not mentioned in the proposal. An amount of Rs. 92,800 

was sanctioned for carrying out this activity. 

Under this activity, ZSS has prepared 64 slogans on RCH issues using the IEC materials 

provided by the health department, ZSS Davanagere and SRC Mysore. Selected 6-8 slogans 

are stencilled on the zinc sheet and 20 such zinc sheet boards are prepared and distributed 

two boards each to KGF, Bangarpet and Srinivaspura Talukas and one board each to 

remaining Talukas. The stencilled messages differ from Taluka to Taluka, covering all the 

64 slogans. The Taluka co-ordinators are expected to arrange for wall writings in all the 

villages of their Talukas with the help of Gram Panchayat. The Secretary reported that ZSS 

has planned to prepare more boards to distribute to the Talukas. An amount of Rs. 49,000 

was spent so for on this activity towards preparing and transporting these boards to the 11 

Talukas of the district. 

All the Taluka co-ordinators confirmed that they have received the zinc stencilling/s. 

Discussion with the various Taluka Co-ordinators revealed that wall-writing was completed 

in 18 villages of Srinivaspura Taluka, 5 villages of Chintamani Taluka, 10 villages of Malur 

Taluka and 8 villages of Shidlagatta Taluka. Some of the Taluka Co-ordinators reported that 

they could not initiate the work due to lack of interest of Gram Panchayats. The evaluation 

team spotted few wall-writings on the walls of the Anganwadi centres, Gram Panchayat 

office, School etc in some of the villages selected for the study. In one of the selected 

villages the wall-writing was done by the Taluka Co-ordinator one-day prior (in the night) to 

the study team’s visit. 

Installation of Small Hoarding 

In the sanctioned proposal a provision was made to install 15 small hoarding that carry 

messages on RCH issues. However, the details such as purpose, size, messages etc are not 

mentioned in the proposal. An amount of Rs. 30,000 was sanctioned to carry out this 

activity. 

The Secretary ZSS reported that towards this activity, they prepared 12 tin sheet hoarding 

with iron stand each carrying 5-6 messages using paint. The topics mainly covered in the 

hoarding are; breastfeeding, AIDS, adolescent problems, MCH and five Cleanliness during 

delivery. The hoarding (1 per Taluka) is distributed to each TSS for displaying it in 

58 


prominent locations of the Taluka headquarters. An amount of Rs. 30,000 was spent towards 

the expenditure for preparing and transporting the hoarding to various Talukas. 

During the evaluation study, it was found that all the Taluka Co-ordinators have received the 

hoarding from the ZSS. However, the hoarding is displayed in only three Talukas - Malur, 

Gouribidnur and Chintamani - in front of the TP office/TSS office. 



the evaluation study is presented in Table 5. The table indicates that the ZSS, Belgaum 

has organised all the activities as per the sanctioned proposal. It is important to note that 

the evaluation study in this district was conducted after the completion of the project 

period. 

One-day orientation training for key trainers at district level 

Under this activity, it was proposed and approved to carry out a one-day ZSS level 

workshop for 100 participants. An amount of Rs. 21,600 was sanctioned for this purpose. 

The proposal, approved by the MOHFW, does not indicate the topics to be covered for the 

training, the resource persons, and the subsequent use of these trained persons in this 

scheme. 

This orientation programme was organized to key trainers and resource persons of the 

Taluka Saksharata Samiti including the Tahsildars of all Talukas, Executive Officers of all 

Taluka Panchayats, Block Education Officers, Taluka Health Officers. Other participants 

included key district-level officers such as District Nursing Officer, Health Education 

Officer and Child Development Programme Officer (CDPO). The resource persons for this 

orientation programme were drawn mainly from the Belgaum DHO. 

Differing from the original proposal, the programme was organized in two batches – one 

for a group of five talukas. The training for first batch involving Belagum, Khanapur, 

Hukkeri, Bailhongal and Savadatti Talukas was organized in Belgaum on 25 March 2000. 

Three months later, on 16 June 2000, the training programme was arranged for persons 

from the remaining five talukas – Chikkodi, Raibag, Athani, Gokak and Ramdurg. About 

7 to 8 officials from each Taluka participated in these training programmes. However, the 

Taluka-level officials from one of the Talukas, who were interviewed by the evaluation 

team reported that they were not aware of this training programme and had not attended 

it. The total amount spent for this activity is Rs. 17,475. 

The plan of the ZSS, was to utilize these key trainees as the resource persons for the 

respective Taluka level training programmes. However, after this orientation training 

programmes, the ZSS realized that these key trainers can not provide training at Taluka 

level effectively. Hence it was decided to utilize the service of local Medical Officers for 

the Taluka level training programmes. 

59 


One-day orientation training for Nava saksharata leaders at Taluka level 

The project had proposed to conduct one-day taluka-level orientation programme for 

2200 key trainers and resource persons at the Village Panchayat level including Block 

Health Educator, Health Assistant, neo-literate leaders, and ANMs. However, the 

MOHFW suggested including only 1580 neo-literate leaders for the training and an 

amount of Rs. 199,500 was sanctioned for this programme. 

Under this activity, the plan of ZSS, Belgaum was to provide training programme for the 

selected 150 neo-literate leaders from each Taluka Samitis. Accordingly, the ZSS prepared a 

time-table and informed the respective Taluka co-ordinators for organising the programmes. 

No money from the scheme was given directly to the Taluka co-ordinators for organising 

the orientation programme. The finance regarding these programmes were controlled 

entirely by the ZSS. The selected neo-literate leaders were intimated in advance regarding 

the training programme. In each Taluka (Taluka Samiti), the training was given in three 

batches consisting of about 50 neo-lieterate leaders. Between 18 April, 2000 and 25 

January, 2001, the ZSS, Belgaum organized a total of 33 training programmes for the 

neo-literate leaders from the eleven Taluka Samitis. 

The respective Taluka Medical Officer, Lady Medical Officer and the DHEO were the 

resource persons for these training programmes. The duration of this training was about five 

hours. An amount of Rs. 1,99,500 was spent on this activity. It was reported that majority of 

the participants in this training programme were females. 

The training programme was based on a separate brochure (in Kannada) developed and 

printed by the ZSS, Belgaum. Each participant was given a four-page folder containing 

messages on RCH. The brochure and folder mainly contained information on the following 

topics: (1) community needs assessment (2) community participation (3) quality of services 

(4) male participation (5) age at marriage (6) unwanted pregnancy (7) health education to 

adolescents (8) antenatal care (9) services during pregnancy (10) care during pregnancy (11) 

care after pregnancy (12) services to women who reached menopause (13) child’s health 

and (14) RTI/STD. 

A few of the Medical Officers who served as the resource persons reported that the neoliterate 

leaders had taken keen interest in the training programme. It was also reported that 

on few occasions the number of neo-literate leaders was more than 50 per batch. However, 

the honorarium was paid only to the invited 50 neo-literate leaders. Most of the neo-literate 

leaders interviewed by the evaluation team reported that the training programme was very 

useful for them to learn some aspects of health. Some of them reported that they are 

propagating the messages received through the training programme although the learning 

centres (kalika kendras) are not currently functioning. One neo-literate leader who was a 

victim of child marriage expressed that she was able to understand the consequences of 

child marriage by attending this training programme. 

60 


Training of neo-literates 

The sanctioned proposal includes organising training programmes to neo-literates. However, 

the proposal did not mention about the level at which it has to be organised, number of 

participants, purpose and duration of the training programme. An amount of Rs. 10,000 was 

sanctioned for this activity. 

The ZSS, Belgaum decided to organize two such training programmes in selected Gram 

Panchayats of each Taluka. Accordingly, the ZSS selected 20 Gram Panchayat villages 

for conducting the training programme This activity was organized directly by the ZSS, 

Belgaum. Although the programme was aimed at only the neo-literate, the general public 

also attended the programme. It was reported by the ZSS that in each village an average 

of 50 neo-literates (30 females and 20 males) attended the programme. The ZSS 

Secretary, Medical Officer of the concerned PHC and the DHEO were the resource 

persons and spoke on general health problems, age at marriage, family planning, 

antenatal care, post-natal care, child care, AIDS and population growth. These 20 training 

programmes were organized during 30 May, 2000 to 31 January, 2001. The duration of 

each training programme was about three hours. A total of Rs. 10,000 was spent for this 

activity. The amount was spent for providing food to the participants. 

Following are some of the remarks made regarding the training programme by the 

various ZSS and Health personal interviewed 

1. Training programme helped the illiterates to know more about the health aspects. 

2. During the training programme, some women demanded the supply of IFA tablets. 

3. The training programme is more effective since the various RCH messages are given 

in a group. 

4. If more and more training programmes are arranged, people will not forget the 

messages and also they try to adopt the health messages in their life. 

5. Because of the training programme, people are coming forward more to accept 

Copper-T. 

6. Now people are giving respect to health department people, listen to the advice and 

come to health centres for services. 

Printing of Educational Materials 

It was proposed to print education materials under the scheme. In the sanctioned proposal, 

the details such as number, type, target group etc. are not mentioned. However, the 

MOHFW sanctioned an amount of Rs. 50,000 for printing 10,000 posters (Rs. 5 per poster). 

The ZSS, Belgaum printed one poster, one brochure, one folder and one sticker. No 

workshop was organized for developing these materials. All these materials depicting 

various aspects of RCH was prepared in consultation with the DHO, Belgaum. In all, 

5,000 posters, 1,000 brochures, 5,000 folders and 5,000 stickers were printed. An amount 

of Rs. 49,760 was spent for this activity. 

61 


The brochure that is prepared in Kannada gives a brief description of various aspects of 

RCH (total pages 24) and was used as a source book by the resource persons involved in 

various orientation programmes at different levels. The material is intended to remind the 

resource persons on different topics to be covered under the orientation programme, and 

not to deviate too much from the main topic. This material was distributed in the training 

programme for the Taluka level officials and also to some neo-literate leaders. 

The folder is an abstract of the brochure also printed in Kannada (total of 4 pages). This 

folder was mainly distributed to the participants of various training programmes as well as 

during the Kalajatha campaigns. 

The poster entitled Reproductive and Child Health (in Kannada) – contained messages on 

maternal and child health services. The posters are displayed during the various training 

programmes and are also distributed to various government offices for displaying. The 

evaluation team spotted some of the posters displayed in some of the Taluka-level offices. 

However, the evaluation team did not see any posters in the Gram Panchayat offices. Some 

of the Gram Panchayat Secretaries informed the evaluation team that they received the 

posters long ago and displayed the same in their office. Some of them reported that they 

removed the posters due to office renovation. 

The sticker contained only one message (in Kannada) – Hennadarenu Gandadarenu Onde 

Maguviddalli Balu Halu Jenu (Either female or male, one child is enough for a happy life). 

The ZSS distributed the stickers to various Government Offices for displaying. The 

evaluation team saw the stickers in few of the Taluka Offices. Discussion with the Secretary, 

ZSS, Belgaum also revealed that they printed this sticker at the end of the project period. 

Folk media Programme on RCH 

Under this activity, the ZSS had proposed to organise street plays and folk songs on RCH 

issues through kala tandas in the district. However, the details such as purpose, number, 

content, level, target group etc. were not mentioned in the proposal. An amount of Rs. 

75,000 was sanctioned for this activity. 

According to the Secretary, the ZSS has organised this activity in two stages. In the first 

stage, the ZSS has organised a workshop for about 20 artists (representing different Talukas 

of the district) during 26-28 April, 2000 at Vaccine Institute, Belgaum. In this workshop, the 

Secretary, ZSS and DHEO discussed the various aspects of RCH. After this briefing, the 

artists were asked to prepare the scripts for street plays and folk songs based on the 

discussion. Accordingly, the artists prepared one street play, 10 folk songs and one Rupaka. 

The artists also practised the scripts during the workshop. At the end of the workshop, a kala 

tanda troupe consisting of selected 15 artists was formed for staging the street plays and folk 

songs in the selected villages of the district. 

In the second stage, the ZSS decided to organise the Kalajatha in four villages of each 

Taluka and asked the Taluka co-ordinators to send the names of four villages. The 

suggestion was to select the villages where the co-operation of the people is more. The ZSS 

62 


also informed them to select villages that are falling in one route, so that movement of the 

troupe will be easy. The ZSS printed the time schedule for the Kalajatha after obtaining the 

name of the villages from the respective Taluka co-ordinators. The responsibility of 

organising the Kalajatha in the selected villages as per the time schedule rested with the 

Taluka co-ordinator. 

There was an instruction from the Deputy Commissioner to the concerned Taluka Akshara 

Prabha Samitis to publicize regarding the Kalajatha performances well in advance. 

Accordingly, the concerned Tahasildars asked the revenue inspectors and village 

accountants to make an appeal, well in advance, to all the people in the four selected 

villages. After reaching the village, the Kalajatha troupe walked through the village singing 

folk songs and inviting the residents to come and watch the performance. 

The Kalajatha troupe covered two villages a day- one in the morning and one in the evening 

– thus covering the selected villages in the Taluka in two days. As per the Secretary, 

Kalajatha was performed in two villages in addition to the planned number, due to the 

demand from the public. The Kalajatha was performed in all the selected villages of the 

district continuously, during 6-25 October, 2000. A total of Rs. 65,882 was spent on 

Kalajatha performances. 

The troupe performed a street play (Minchu) on ARI, a Rupaka - on age at marriage and folk 

songs on RCH issues in all the selected 40 villages and two additional villages of the district. 

In most of the villages, the performance was organised in front of a Temple or in front of 

school or in front of Gram Panchayat Office or near the bus stop. Average duration of each 

performance, as reported by the Secretary, was about 2 hours. During the Kalajatha 

performance, the troupes also distributed to the public a folder prepared by the ZSS. 


Kalajatha was carried out. Detailed discussions were held with the concerned Gram 

Panchayat officilas/village co-ordinators as well as health officials. During the interviews 

with the TSS co-ordinators as well and Taluka-level health functionaries also, their remarks 

on Kalajatha were collected. Following are some of the remarks made by the various ZSS 

and Health personnel interviewed. 

1. The Kalajatha has created awareness on cleanliness, services provided through the 

government hospitals and ill-effects of habitual drinking. 

2. Earlier, the people used to throw away the tablets given by the health department. After 

watching the Kalajatha, people are not doing so. 



performance was scheduled for the mornings. 


exposure to other mass media like posters, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets etc., is 

very poor in rural areas. 

5. The street plays and folk songs are more effective because they use folk medium and 

local artists. They give entertainment that is often absent in villages; attract huge crowd 

63 


and also give messages through acting and jokes that can easily be understood by the 

illiterate mass. 

6. Since the messages through street plays and folk songs were communicated using open 

stage, people do not have any hesitation to talk and discuss about various health issues. 

They also come forward to clear their doubts and misconception. 

7. In the first few days, the content of the street play and folk songs performed by the 

Kalajatha troupe was not uniform. This is mainly due to the lack of preparation and the 

nonavailability of written scripts to the artists. 




9. The frequency and duration of such programme are important for registering the 






organise the street plays and folk songs in their villages to provide knowledge on various 




13. The street plays and folksongs help in removing misconception/blind beliefs among the 

people, to know about various health issues and facilities available to them. 

14. On few occasions, the Kalajatha troupes gave wrong messages on some aspects and it 

was corrected immediately by the health educator who was present during the 

performance. 

15. People's faith on health department would improve through such programmes. It was 

reported by some of the grass-root level health workers that this type of programme 

made their work simple and easy. For example, after watching these street plays and 

folk songs, many mothers-in-law who were earlier opposing their daughters-in-law to 

utilise the health services such as ANC, hospital deliveries, immunisation, family 

planning etc. had changed. 

64 

! ! , 

One of the objectives of the evaluation study is to examine the co-ordination and cooperation 

of various officials from the department of health and family welfare in the 

scheme of RCH-IEC activities through ZSS, at various stages. It was expected that the 

District health personnel be involved at every stage of the implementation of the scheme 

including the preparation of the project proposal, development of campaign materials, 

organising training and orientation programmes, etc. 

Following is a brief description of cooperation between the ZSS and the District Health 

Department in each of the five districts studied: 



The discussion with the ZSS Secretary, the DHEO, District RCH Officer, selected Taluka 

Medical Officers, Medical Officers of the PHCs, and ANMs of selected Subcentres revealed 

that although the health personnel were not involved with the preparation of the project 

proposal, they were involved in various capacities in all the activities of the scheme, mostly 

as resource persons in various orientation programmes. 

The development of scripts for the street plays and folk songs was organised in the 

Chitradurga and the DHO, Chitradurga had participated in this. However, the DHO, 

Davanagere attended the workshop organised in Kondajji for directors and artists and 

appreciated the efforts of ZSS after knowing the contents of street plays and folk songs. 

Taluka medical officers were involved in various Taluka-level orientation programmes as 

resource persons and some of them attended the inauguration function of the street plays and 

folk songs. It was also told that some of the Medical Officers from the Taluka Hospitals also 

participated in the orientation training programme as resource persons. Similarly, there is a 

strict instruction from the Taluka Medical Officer to all the Medical and Paramedical staffs 

of various PHCs to attend and assist in various activities of the Saksharata Samiti. As 

mentioned earlier, the Medical Officers and BHEs from various PHCs were involved in the 

Gram Panchayat-level orientation programmes as resource persons. 

In almost all the villages, the grass-root level workers were present during the street plays 

and folk songs. It was reported that in most Talukas, after the completion of street plays and 

folk songs, some of the health functionaries explained to the gathered public, the 

information provided in these plays and songs. 

In some villages of the Harapanahalli Taluka, government health functionaries conducted 

free health check-ups during the staging of street plays and folksongs. 

Most Taluka Asksharadana Samitis reported that the health department supplied Copper-T, 

Condoms, Mala-D tablets, IFA tablets, and ORS packets to be used in mass campaigns as 

well as in orientation programmes. Similarly, the health department gave some 

posters/brochures/flip charts on AIDS, immunzation, family planning methods, care during 

pregnancy and delivery, elements and objective of RCH etc. These materials were used 

both in the training programmes and in street plays and folk songs. Some of the posters were 

supplied to Gram Panchayat Secretaries or Co-ordinators to display the same in the 

important places of the village. 

The Taluka Medical Officers told that sometimes they provided vehicle during the 

performance of street plays and folk songs in various villages of the Taluka. 

Thus, as per the information from the health and Saksharata Samiti functionaries, there is a 

total involvement of the health personnel at every type of the RCH-IEC activities through 

ZSS. 

65 



The discussion with the ZSS Secretary, selected Taluka Medical Officers, Medical Officers 

of the PHCs, and BHEs/LHVs/ANMs of selected Subcentres revealed that the officers of 

department of health and family welfare in the district was involved in various capacities in 

all the activities of the scheme, mostly as resource persons in various orientation 

programmes. The District Health Education Officer is reported to have been involved in the 

preparation of the project proposal. 

The development of scripts for the street plays and folk songs was organised in the 

Chitradurga and the DHO, Chitradurga had participated in this. However, the DHO, 

Davanagere attended the workshop organised in Kondajji for directors and artists and 

appreciated the efforts of ZSS after knowing the contents of street plays and folk songs. 

Taluka medical officers were involved in various Taluka-level orientation programmes as 

resource persons and some of them attended the inauguration function of the street plays and 

folk songs. Some of the Medical Officers from the Taluka Hospitals are also reported to 

have participated in the orientation training programme as resource persons. Similarly, there 

is a strict instruction from the Taluka Medical Officer to all the Medical and Paramedical 

staffs of various PHCs to attend and assist in various activities of the Saksharata Samiti. As 

mentioned earlier, the Medical Officers and BHEs from various PHCs were involved in the 

Gram Panchayat-level orientation programmes as resource persons. 

In almost all the villages, the grass-root level workers were present during the street plays 

and folk songs. It was reported that in most Talukas, after the completion of street plays and 

folk songs, some of the health functionaries explained to the gathered public, the 

information provided in these plays and songs. In Hosadurga Taluka, the Kalajatha team 

was accompanied by a technician from the Health Department throughout the campaign. 

Most Taluka Aksharavani Samitis reported that the health department supplied Copper-T, 

Condoms, Mala-D tablets, IFA tablets, and ORS packets to be used in mass campaigns as 

well as in orientation programmes. Similarly, the health department gave some 

posters/brochures/flip charts on AIDS, immunisation, family planning methods, care during 

pregnancy and delivery, elements and objective of RCH etc. These materials were used 

both in the training programmes and in street plays and folk songs. Some of the posters were 

supplied to Gram Panchayat Secretaries or Co-ordinators for display in important spots 

within the village. 

As mentioned earlier, the ZSS used some of the IEC materials and the assistance from the 

health department in developing the posters and the brochure. 

The Taluka Medical Officers told that sometimes they provided vehicle during the 

performance of street plays and folk songs in various villages of the Taluka. 

66 




ZSS. 


The discussion with the Tumkur ZSS Secretary revealed that there was good co-operation 

and co-ordination between ZSS and district health functionaries. The DHO and DHEO were 

consulted before finalizing the project proposal. The DHEO, Dy. DHEO and DNO were 

actively involved at the time of material development and had provided suggestions and 

guidance. Taluka Medical Officers, Medical Officers of the PHCs, and BHEs/LHVs/ANMs 

of selected Subcentres reported that they were involved in various capacities in all the 

activities of the scheme, mostly as resource persons in various orientation programmes. 

Similarly, there is a strict instruction from the Taluka Medical Officer to all the Medical and 

paramedical staffs of various PHCs to attend and assist in various activities of the Saksharta 

Samiti. The health department has also provided vehicles throughout Kalajatha campaign. In 

almost all the villages, the grass-root level workers were present during the street plays and 

folk songs. 

Most Taluka Saksharmitra Samitis reported that the health department supplied Copper-T, 

Condoms, Mala-D tablets, IFA tablets, and ORS packets to be used in Kalajatha as well as 

in orientation programmes. During the pulse polio campaign, the department had supplied 

pulse polio caps, posters and banners to the ZSS. Similarly, the health department gave 

some posters/brochures/flip charts on AIDS, immunisation, family planning methods, care 

during pregnancy and delivery, elements and objective of RCH etc to ZSS for development 

of IEC materials. 



ZSS. 


The entire proposal was prepared by the DHEO, Kolar. The discussion with the ZSS 

Secretary revealed that there was good co-operation and co-ordination between ZSS and 

District health functionaries in Kolar district. The DHEO was actively involved in the 

various awareness camps. Taluka Medical Officers, Medical Officers of the PHCs, and 

BHEs/LHVs/ANMs of selected Subcentres revealed that they were involved in various 

capacities in all the activities of the scheme, mostly as resource persons in various awareness 

camps. 

Most Taluka Saksharatene Samitis reported that the health department supplied Copper-T, 

Condoms, Mala-D tablets, IFA tablets, and ORS packets during orientation programmes. 

67 




ZSS. 


The co-operation between the District Health Office and the ZSS in the planning and 

implementation of the RCH-IEC activities has been very good in Belgaum district. As 

mentioned earlier, the Secretary with the help of DHEO, prepared the proposal for the RCH- 

IEC scheme. The DHO had deputed one person (DHEO) to help the ZSS in carrying out the 

various IEC activities for the entire project period. 

The other personnel from the Health Department were also involved in the various 

orientation-training programmes as resource persons. The Secretary, ZSS reported that the 

health department supplied Copper-T, Condoms, Mala-D tablets, IFA tablets, and ORS 

packets to be used in mass campaigns as well as in orientation programmes. Similarly, the 

health department gave some posters/brochures/flip charts on AIDS, immunisation, family 

planning methods, care during pregnancy and delivery, elements and objective of RCH etc. 

These materials were generally used in the various training programmes. 

As mentioned earlier, the ZSS used some of the IEC materials and the assistance from the 

health department in developing the posters, the brochure and the folder. 



ZSS. 

+ # 1 2 # 

The evaluation study attempted at examining the utilization of funds by the ZSS towards the 

implementation of the sanctioned activities under the scheme. The evaluation team tried to 

obtain the monthly/quarterly statements of expenditure sent by the ZSS to the MOHFW, and 

also to examine the accounts registers maintained at the ZSS. While the availability of 

records has not been uniform over the districts studied, following is a brief description of the 

analysis of expenditure pattern under the scheme in each of the five ZSSs studied: 


The Department of Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released an 

amount of Rs. 3,50,000 to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of Karnataka for 

carrying out RCH-IEC activities in Davanagere District through the ZSS. After receiving the 

money, a separate bank account was opened in the joint names of President and Secretary, 

ZSS. The expenditure incurred in the scheme was entered in a separate account book with 

vouchers and is maintained by the Treasurer of ZSS. The Secretary gets prior permission 

from the President for spending on various activities under the scheme. 

68 


The expenditure incurred in the scheme at the time of evaluation study, i.e., as on August, 

2000 was prepared after verifying the account books and the monthly account statements 

that were submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi and is 

provided in Table 6. As on August, 2000, the Davanagere ZSS has spent an amount of Rs. 

2,52,496 for carrying out various RCH-IEC activities in the district. 

Comparing the discussions with the ZSS Secretary, the Quarterly Reports of activities and 

expenditure submitted by ZSS to MOHFW, the following points need further clarifications: 

1. An expenditure of Rs. 10,950 is shown against Orientation Workshop for 

Officials/NGOs. However, the ZSS Secretary reported only one workshop for which an 

amount of Rs. 4,250 was spent. 

2. An expenditure of Rs. 5,000 is shown against five district-level workshops, which were 

not reported by the ZSS, Secretary. 

3. An amount of Rs. 31,020 was spent in March, 2000 for organising 63 

seminars/workshops at Taluka/GP/Village level. However, the ZSS did not organise any 

such seminars/workshops in March. The ZSS Secretary reported that a two-day 

workshop for Directors and Artists at Kondajji in Harihar Taluka was organized during 

27-28 March, 2000 and had spent Rs. 31,020 for the same. However, in the statement of 

accounts submitted to MOHFW, the amount was shown as an expenditure towards 63 

workshops at the Taluka/GP/Village level. 


As discussed earlier, the Department of Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family 

Welfare released an amount of Rs. 450,000 to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of 

Karnataka for carrying out RCH-IEC activities in Chitradurga District through the ZSS. 

There seems to be a mistake in totalling the cost of the project in the letter from MOHFW, 

New Delhi, bearing the sanctioning of the project. While the actual amount to be sanctioned 

to the project as per the letter sums up to Rs. 460,000, the total printed on the sanctioned 

proposal is Rs. 450,000. 

The fund for the project is deposited in a separate bank account opened in the joint names of 

President (District Deputy Commissioner) and Secretary, ZSS Chitradurga. The expenditure 

incurred in the scheme is entered in a separate account book with vouchers and is 

maintained by the Secretary, ZSS. The Secretary gets prior permission from the President 

for spending on various activities under the scheme. 

The expenditure incurred in the scheme at the time of evaluation study, i.e., as on 

September, 2000 was prepared after verifying the account books and the monthly account 

statements that were submitted to the MOHFW, New Delhi and is provided in Table 7. The 

Chitradurga ZSS has so far spent an amount of Rs. 369,561 against Rs. 450,000 sanctioned 

for carrying out various RCH-IEC activities in the district. 

69 


Comparing the discussion with the ZSS Secretary as well as the Taluka Co-ordinators, the 

Quarterly reports of activities and expenditure submitted to MOHFW, the following points 

need further clarifications: 

1. According to the Quarterly progress report submitted by Chitradurga ZSS to MOHFW, 

New Delhi, an expenditure of Rs. 6,635 is spent against 10 Orientation Workshops for 

Officials/NGOs. However, only five such orientation training programmes were 

reported to the evaluation team by the Taluka Co-ordinators and the total expenditure 

reported for this activity is Rs.5,270. 

2. Under the item – wall writing – it is reported that the ZSS has spent an amount of Rs. 

24,900 in the month of July, 2000. But at the time of the evaluation, this activity was in 

progress only in four of the six Talukas. 

3. The ZSS has reported a total of 217 seminars/workshops at Taluka/GP/Village levels for 

an expenditure of Rs. 116,836. However, the Taluka Co-ordinators reported only 47 

such seminars/workshops (8 Taluka-level and 39 Gram Panchayat level workshops 

covering 190 Gram Panchayats). 

4. An expenditure of Rs. 6,950 was shown against five district-level workshops. As 

discussed earlier this activity was changed to Workshop exclusively for PRI 

representatives at the Taluka level. At the time of evaluation study, i.e. on October, 

2000, only three such workshops were reported to be organised exclusively for the PRI 

representatives at Taluka level and the total amount spent for these three workshops was 

Rs. 1,850. 


As per the communication to the evaluation team from the MOHFW, the Department of 

Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi had released an amount 

of Rs. 433,900 to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of Karnataka for carrying out 

RCH-IEC activities in Tumkur District through the ZSS. However, the ZSS has received 

Rs.900 less from the Government of Karnataka. The fund for the scheme was received on 3, 

January, 2000 by the Tumkur ZSS. A separate bank account was opened in the joint names 

of the President and the Secretary, ZSS in a Bank. The expenditure incurred in the scheme 

was entered in a separate account book with vouchers and is maintained by the Secretary, 

ZSS. The Secretary gets prior permission from the President for spending on various 

activities under the scheme. 

Table 8 presents the expenditure incurred till this evaluation based on some of the quarterly 

progress reports that the Tumkur ZSS supplied to the evaluation team. The following points 

need to be considered while reading the Table: (1) The expenditure reports received by the 

evaluation team contain only the expenditure on broad activity types, and do not include 

detailed item-wise expenditure under each activity. For example, the one of the expenditure 

reports mentioned that Rs. 138,000 was spent on Kalajatha, without providing the details on 

the amount spend on each of the items under the activity such as district-level workshop for 

Kalajatha artists, wall-writing, and other expenses. (2) The expenditure is reported according 

to the action plan revised by the ZSS and not according to the items sanctioned by 

MOHFW. 

70 


Based on the information provided by the ZSS, as on November 2000, the Tumkur ZSS has 

spent an amount of Rs. 397,162 for carrying out various RCH-IEC activities in the district 

and has a balance of Rs. 35,838. 

It may be noted here that there seems to be some discrepancy between the reported 

expenditure for an activity by the ZSS and the sum of the reported expenditure for the same 

activity by the TSS. For example, the sum of the expenditure on the workshop for literacy 

workers reported by all the 10 TSSs is less than the reported expenditure for the same 

activity by the ZSS (Rs. 60,000 compared with Rs. 82,150). 




Karnataka for carrying out RCH-IEC activities in Kolar District through the ZSS. The fund 

for the scheme was received on 16 November, 1999 by the ZSS, Kolar. 

The fund for the scheme has been credited to the TLC/PLC account and no separate bank 

account is opened for the scheme. It needs to be mentioned that the ZSS Kolar did not 

provide the account books, expenditure statements and vouchers for the evaluation team. 

The Secretary reported that the expenditures for the RCH-IEC activities are mixed up with 

the expenditure for other activities of the ZSS, since no separate account for the scheme was 

maintained. 

Even the monthly statements of expenditure are not submitted regularly to the MOHFW. 

Although the funds were received in November 1999, and activities were initiated in 

December 1999, the ZSS did not report any activity or expenditure to MOHFW till July 

2000. Hence, the evaluation team could examine only the monthly reports sent to the 

MOHFW for four months starting form July 2000. 

Based on these four monthly reports, the evaluation team prepared a summary of 

expenditure incurred by Kolar ZSS under the scheme and is provided in Table 9. As on 

October 2000, the Kolar ZSS has spent an amount of Rs. 189,100 for carrying out various 

RCH-IEC activities in the district, thus having an unspent balance of Rs. 217,200 

The following points are observed with regard to the expenditure, which need further 

clarification: 

1. An amount of Rs. 10,500 is shown spent for organising 25 awareness camps for NGO 

members, while no such camps are organized exclusively for NGO members. 

2. An amount of Rs. 11,000 is shown spent for conducting 11 awareness camps for Talukalevel 

department heads, while only 8 such camps are reported to have been conducted. 

3. An expenditure of Rs. 11,400 is shown against organising 65 awareness camps for 

Health Assistants, while only one such awareness camp is organised. 

71 





Karnataka for carrying out RCH-IEC activities in Belgaum District through the ZSS. 

The fund for the project is deposited in a separate bank account opened in the joint names of 

President (District Deputy Commissioner) and Secretary, ZSS. The expenditure incurred in 

the scheme is entered in a separate account book with vouchers and is maintained by the 

Secretary, ZSS. The Secretary gets prior permission from the President for spending on 

various activities under the scheme. 

Since, the evaluation in this district was carried out after the completion of the scheme, the 

expenditure statement for the entire period was available with the ZSS, Belgaum. It was 

found that the ZSS sent regularly its monthly as well as quarterly expenditure statements to 

the MOHFW, New Delhi. However, only the cumulative expenditure ending in the selected 

months is provided in the Table 10. The Belgaum ZSS has spent an amount of Rs. 421,275 

against Rs. 416,100 sanctioned for carrying out various RCH-IEC activities in the district. 

The additional expenditure was met from the interest paid on the bank account. An 

examination of the account revealed that the total amount available for the scheme, 

including the interest was 424,307 and the balance amount of Rs. 3032 was sent to the 

MOHFW, New Delhi. 

The statements of account submitted to the MOHFW revealed some discrepancies and need 

further clarifications: 

1. According to the expenditure statement submitted by Belgaum ZSS to MOHFW, New 

Delhi, an expenditure of Rs. 4125 was shown between January and March, 2001 under 

the item One-day orientation training for key trainers at District level. However, no such 

orientation training programmes during this period was reported to the evaluation team 

by the Secretary and the total expenditure reported for this activity is only Rs.17,475. 

2. Similarly, the expenditure under the item miscellaneous was almost doubled between 

January and March 2001. The expenditure under this item is also more than sanctioned 

for the scheme. Printing of educational materials is the only activity reported to the 

evaluation team during this period. 

72 


Chapter 

4 

3 , 

Among Village Communities 

One of the main objectives of the scheme of RCH-IEC through ZSS has been to create mass 

awareness and to facilitate the individuals and families in their decision-making in the 

direction desired for achieving the goal of the RCH programme. As presented in the 

previous section, various IEC activities on RCH issues have been planned and implemented 

by Davanagere ZSS under the scheme. This evaluation tried to assess the reacheffectiveness 

of these IEC activities, and to some extent, measure and compare the 

knowledge and awareness of community members who were exposed to these activities and 

those who were not. 

In this chapter, the findings are presented regarding the exposure of community members 

and leaders to the RCH-IEC activities carried out by the ZSSs under the scheme in all the 

selected five districts, except Belgaum District, where the data collection was in progress at 

the time of preparing this report. The knowledge and awareness among the community 

members and leaders on various issues of reproductive and child health are dealt with in 

individual district reports. 

As mentioned earlier, about 10 community members and 5 community leaders were 

randomly selected from the 10-12 villages selected in each district, who were asked several 

questions on their exposure to various IEC activities on health and family welfare. The 

responses to these questions are analysed and discussed in this chapter. 

3 , 

The following question was asked of all the selected opinion leaders and community members 

to assess their exposure to RCH-IEC activities: “During the last one year, did you 

see/participate in any kind of activity where people were given information on health and 

family welfare?” A list of all the activities seen/participated was prepared for those who 

answered positively to the question. Table 11 presents the percentage of respondents who 

reported exposure to any IEC activity, to street-plays, to folk songs, and to orientation training 

programmes, according to their selected background characteristics. 

73 


A large majority of the respondents (ranging from 84 percent in Davanagere and 

Chitradurga districts to 90 percent in Kolar district) reported an exposure to at least one IEC 

activity on health and family welfare during the year preceding the interview. The specific 

activities seen/participated, as reported by the respondents are: posters/hoarding/handbill – 

63-76 percent; advertisement on television – 35-42 percent; Jatha – 11-47 percent; street 

plays – none to 36 percent; folksongs – none to 30 percent; Orientation/training – 11-30 

percent; and other activity – 2 percent. 

Among these specific activities seen/participated by the respondents, only three activities – 

orientation/training, street plays and folksongs – are the ones carried out by the ZSSs under 

the scheme. 

Although street plays and folksongs (Kalajatha) were the major RCH-IEC activities carried 

out by the ZSSs in Davanagere, Chitradurga, Tumkur and Belgaum districts, orientation was 

the main activity carried out by the ZSS in Kolar district. 

! $5$ # 

The differentials in exposure to RCH-IEC activities are presented, for each of the districts in 

Tables 12-16, and are discussed separately for each district. 

Davanagere district 

Although street plays and folksongs were the major RCH-IEC activities carried out by the 

ZSS in Davanagere, only around a quarter of the respondents have seen these programmes. 

Even in villages where these activities are conducted (Out of the 12 villages selected for the 

study, 6 were the villages where the ZSS had organized street plays and folk songs), only 44 

and 33 percent have reported seeing street play and folksong performances, respectively. 

The orientation and training workshops, which were organized in 4 of the 12 villages 

selected, are attended by 11 percent of the respondents, overall, and 20 percent of the 

respondents from villages where this activity was performed. 

The street plays and folksongs are less likely to be seen by women, illiterate persons, 

members of community who are not opinion leaders, and of course by the respondents from 

villages where the ZSS has not organized these programmes. On the other hand, 

orientation/training programmes are attended more by women, persons above age 25, 

persons who have studied beyond middle school, married persons, and opinion leaders. In 

fact, the orientation/training activity at the Gram Panchayat level catered mostly to the local 

Anganwadi teachers and female teachers of local school. 

Although the scheme aimed at exposing the poor and the illiterate persons to RCH 

messages, it is important to note that their exposure is very less as compared to literate 

people. 

74 


Orientation training programmes are considered as the most important interpersonal 

communication media in disseminating various RCH issues. These channels involve face to 

face message transfer between a source and a receiver. As mentioned earlier, only 11 

percent of the people were exposed to this medium of communication. In order to obtain a 

concrete idea about the effectiveness of this medium, people who attended this programme 

were asked to indicate the duration, method, topics covered, and major messages received. 

Due to small number of persons who reported to have participated in these 

training/orientation programmes, the results are not shown in tabular form. 

A large majority of those who attended orientation programmes, did so only once. These 

persons, however, were not sure about the organizers of these orientation programmes – 

about one-third each reported Aksharadana Samiti, Gram Panchayat and Health Department 

as organizers of these orientation programmes. It is important to note that one out of twenty 

reported that they don’t know who organised the orientation programme. Eighty percent of 

the respondents reported that they received the communication 2 or more days in advance. 

The average reported duration of the orientation workshop is 3.2 hours. Majority (90 

percent) reported that lecture was the method of training; and mostly the local Medical 

Officer was the resource person. The different topics reported as included in these training 

programmes are: child care (80 percent), maternal care (55 percent), literacy (30 percent), 

and AIDS (20 percent). About 35 percent of those who attended the training programme 

reported that the most important message received was that - “women should take nutritious 

food and go for health check-up during pregnancy”. The next most frequently reported 

message was - “education is important to women” followed by “surrounding cleanliness for 

preventing diseases”. Some of them also reported that “blind belief should not be followed 

for child care practice” as the most important message received. 

Folk media is another channel used in the RCH-IEC strategies of ZSS. This is considered to 

be more effective medium in sensitising various health issues among the illiterate rural 

mass, who are not exposed much to the modernizing influences. As mentioned earlier, 

street-plays and folk-songs were the folk media used under this scheme in Davanagere 

district. Some particulars regarding the street-plays and folk songs were asked to the 

respondents who were exposed to them, in order to ascertain the reach effectiveness of these 

media. 

As discussed earlier, around one-fourth each of the respondents reported that they have seen 

street plays and folksongs. Seventy-eight percent of those who had heard folksongs said 

that the folksongs were part of the street plays. Majority (87 percent) of those who have seen 

them reported that they have seen the street-play only once during the last one year. With 

regard to the place of staging, a substantial proportion (60 percent) informed that the streetplay 

was conducted in the premises of the village temple. Many (53 percent) of the 

respondents thought that the street plays were organized by the Gram Panchayat, and onethird 

correctly knew that the street plays are organized by Aksharadana Samiti. The average 

duration of the street play performance as reported by the audience was about 2 hours. 

75 


Fifteen percent of the respondents who have seen a street play reported that the play was 

staged during festival days, and more than three-fourths reported that it was organised on no 

special occasion, but on an usual day. When asked regarding the advance publicity about the 

street-plays, more than two-thirds of those who had seen a street play had received 

notification about it adequately in advance. It is surprising to note that more than threefourths 

(79 percent) of those who had seen the street play could not recall the name of at 

least one street play. 

Each respondent who had seen a street play was asked about the themes covered in the 

street-play that they saw last. The different themes reported by those who have seen street 

plays in the order of frequency of reporting are: maternal care (38 percent), child care (28 

percent), literacy (26 percent), AIDS (23 percent), protection of the environment (23 

percent), blind beliefs (19 percent), and family planning (17 percent). The street play 

performance was satisfactory according to the majority (96 percent). 

The reported themes covered in folksongs, in the order of frequency are: child care (34 

percent), literacy (24 percent), AIDS (17 percent), personal hygiene (17 percent), maternal 

care (12 percent), family planning (10 percent), age at marriage (10 percent) and blind 

beliefs (5 percent). 

According to the respondents who had seen a street play, the most important message 

conveyed through these street plays are: 

a. blind beliefs should not be followed (17 percent) 

b. education to children is very important (17 percent) 

c. children should be immunized and should be taken to hospital when fallen sick (15 

percent) 

d. pregnant women should go to hospital for delivery (9 percent) 

e. small family is happy family (9 percent) 

f. safe sex to avoid AIDS (9 percent). 

Fifteen percent of the respondents who had heard folksongs did not remember the messages 

conveyed by these songs. The important messages received through the folk-song, as 

reported by those who were exposed to folksongs are: 

a. safe sex to avoid AIDS (17 percent) 

b. education is important to child (10 percent) 

c. blind belief should not be followed (10 percent) 

d. health is wealth (10 percent) 

e. immunization to prevent polio (7 percent) 

f. girls should marry at 18 and boys at 21 (7 percent) 

g. pregnant women should take nutritious food (7 percent). 

76 




ZSS in Chitradurga also, only 32 and 26 percent, of the respondents, respectively, have seen 

these programmes. Even in villages where these activities are conducted (Out of the 12 

villages selected for the study, 6 were the villages where the ZSS had organized street plays 

and folk songs), only 46 and 32 percent have reported seeing street play and folksong 

performances, respectively. The orientation and training workshops, which were organized 

in 4 of the 12 villages selected, are attended by 11 percent of the respondents, overall, and 

only 9 percent of the respondents from villages where this activity was performed. 

The street plays and folksongs are less likely to be seen by women, members of community 

who are not opinion leaders, and of course by the respondents from villages where the ZSS 

has not organized these programmes. On the other hand, orientation/training programmes 

are attended more by women, persons above age 25, persons who have studied beyond 

middle school, married persons, and opinion leaders. In fact, the orientation/training activity 

at the Gram Panchayat level catered mostly to the local Anganwadi teachers and female 

teachers of local school. 


messages, it is important to note that their exposure is limited to street plays and folk songs. 




percent of the respondents were exposed to this medium of communication. In order to 

obtain a concrete idea about the effectiveness of this medium, people who attended this 

programme were asked to indicate the duration, method, topics covered, and major 

messages received. Due to small number of persons who reported to have participated in 

these training/orientation programmes, the results are not shown in tabular form. 

Majority of those who attended orientation programmes, did so only once. About half of 

them reported that Aksharavani Samiti had organised these orientation programmes. More 

than half of them reported that they received the communication 2 or more days in advance. 

The average reported duration of the orientation workshop is 5 hours. All the participants 

informed that lecture was the method of training; and mostly the local Medical Officer was 

the resource person. The different topics reported as included in these training programmes 

are: child care (47 percent), family planning (37 percent), maternal care (31 percent), 

environmental protection (26 percent), literacy (11 percent) and AIDS (11 percent). The 

most important messages received from these training programmes were - “women should 

take nutritious food and go for health check-up during pregnancy”, “safe sex to avoid 

AIDS” and “small family is happy family”. The next most frequently reported message was 

- “immunisation should be provided to avoid polio attack, blind belief should not be 

followed and nutritious food to children for faster growth”. 

77 





street-plays and folk-songs were the folk media used under this scheme in Chitradurga 

district. Some particulars regarding the street-plays and folk songs were asked to the 

respondents who were exposed to them, in order to ascertain the reach effectiveness of these 

media. 

As discussed earlier, around one-third each of the respondents reported that they have seen 

street plays and 26 percent of the respondents have heard folk-songs. Majority of those who 

had heard folksongs (89 percent) said that the folksongs were part of the street plays. Most 

(81 percent) of them reported that they have seen the street-play only once during the last 

one year. With regard to the place of staging, a substantial proportion (60 percent) informed 

that the street-play was conducted in the premises of the school ground. Around two-fifth of 

the respondents correctly knew that the street plays were organized by the Aksharavani 

Samiti and one-fourth thought that the street plays were organized by Gram Panchayat. The 

average duration of the street play performance as reported by the audience was about 2 

hours. 

Almost all the respondents who have seen a street play said that it was organised on no 

special occasion, but on usual day. When asked regarding the advance publicity about the 

street-plays, more than three-fifths of those who had seen a street play had received 

notification about it adequately in advance. It is surprising to note that more than threefourths 

(79 percent) of those who had seen the street play could not recall the name of at 

least one street play. 



plays in the order of frequency of reporting are: literacy (37 percent), environmental 

protection (30 percent), AIDS (26 percent), maternal care (21 percent), child care (19 

percent), blind beliefs on health care practices (16 percent), and family planning (16 

percent). The street play performance was satisfactory according to the majority (83 percent) 

of the respondents. 

The reported themes covered in folksongs, in the order of frequency are: child care (35 

percent), AIDS (22 percent), environmental protection (20 percent), literacy (13 percent), 

blind beliefs on health care practices (11 percent), maternal care (6 percent) and family 

planning (4 percent). 



a. Safe sex to avoid AIDS (12 percent) 

b. Environmental protection/ sanitation to avoid diseases (12 percent) 

c. Blind beliefs should not be followed for health care practices (7 percent) 

d. Small family is happy family (7 percent) 

78 


e. When child is sick he/she should be taken to hospital (5 percent) 

f. Pregnant woman should take nutritious food (5 percent) 

g. Children should go to school not for work (5 percent) 

The important messages received through the folk-songs, as reported by those who were 

exposed to folk-songs are: 


b. Immunisation should be provided to avoid polio attack (11 percent) 

c. Habitual alcohol consumption leads to increase the family size (7 percent) 

d. Children should go to school not for work ( 7 percent) 

e. Marriage age for girls is 18 and for boys it is 21 years (4 percent) 

f. Blind beliefs should not be followed for health care practices (4 percent) 

g. When child is sick he/she should be taken to hospital (4 percent) 



Tumkur ZSS, 36 percent of the respondents have seen street plays and about 30 percent 

have heard folk songs. In the villages where these activities are conducted (out of the 12 

villages selected for the study, 10 villages where the ZSS had organised street plays, folk 

songs and training programmes), substantial proportion (61 percent) of them reported to 

have seen street play, folksong performances and attended the training programmes 

organised by the ZSS, Tumkur. 

The street plays and folksongs are less likely to be seen by women, those who are below age 

25 and illiterates, members of community who are not opinion leaders, and of course by the 

respondents from villages where the ZSS has not organised these programmes. On the other 

hand, orientation/training programmes are attended more by women, persons less than age 

25, persons who have studied beyond middle school, unmarried persons, and opinion 

leaders. This may because of the fact that, some of the training programmes of ZSS were 

targeted only for adolescent girls. 

It is found that about 53 percent of the targeted population were exposed to the RCH- IEC 

activities of the ZSS, Tumkur. Further, although the scheme aimed at exposing the poor and 

the illiterate persons to RCH messages, it is important to note fewer illiterates have exposed 

to IEC activities of ZSS. 

Orientation training programmes are considered to be the most important interpersonal 








79 


Majority of those who attended orientation programmes, did so only once. A little more than 

one-fourth of them reported that Saksharmitra Samiti had organised these orientation 

programmes. Nearly three-fourth reported that the training programmes were organised in 

schools. Most of them received the information on the same day regarding the training. 


informed that lecture was the method of training. Medical officers, local high school and 

college lecturers were the resource persons. The different topics reported as included in 

these training programmes are cleanliness during menstruation (70 percent), AIDS (32 

percent), childcare (14 percent), maternal care (9 percent), contiguous diseases (7 percent) 

and age at marriage (5 percent). The most important messages received from these training 

programmes were - “blind beliefs should not be followed with regard to women and child 

health care practices”, ”new needles and blades should be used to avoid AIDS”, marriage 

should be done at the age 18 for girls and 21 for boys", and “safe sex to avoid AIDS”. 




street-plays and folk songs were the folk media used under this scheme in Tumkur district. 

Some particulars regarding the street-plays and folk songs were asked to the respondents 

who were exposed to them, in order to ascertain the reach effectiveness of these media. 

As discussed earlier, a little more than one-third each of the respondents reported that they 

have seen street plays and 30 percent of the respondents have heard folk songs. Majority of 

those who had heard folksongs (94 percent) said that the folksongs were part of the street 

plays. Most (81 percent) of them reported that they have seen the street-play only once 

during the last one year. With regard to the place of staging, 29 percent of respondents 

informed that the street-play was conducted near the temple in the village and almost an 

equal proportion reported that it was organised near bus stop. Majority (70 percent) of the 

respondents correctly knew that the street plays were organised by the Saksharmitra Samiti 

and one in ten thought that the street plays were organised by Gram Panchayat. The average 

duration of the street play performance as reported by the audience was about two and halfhours. 



street-plays, about three-fifth of those who had seen a street play had received notification 

about it adequately in advance. It is surprising to note that none of those who had seen the 

street play could not recall the name of the street play or folk song. 



plays in the order of frequency of reporting are: AIDS (78 percent), age at marriage (32 

percent), child care (16 percent), family planning (16 percent), drinking habits (16 percent) 

80 


and maternal care (13 percent). All the those who have seen street play have expressed their 

satisfaction about the performance. 

The reported themes covered in folksongs, in the order of frequency are AIDS (47 percent), 

child care (40 percent) maternal care (11 percent), literacy (30 percent), family planning (15 

percent) and age at marriage (9 percent). 


conveyed through these street plays is: 

a. Marriage should be done at age 18 for girls and 21 for boys (24 percent) 

b. Safe sex to avoid AIDS (16 percent) 

c. Literacy helps to prevent population growth (5 percent) 

The important messages received through the folk songs as reported by those who were 

exposed to folk songs are: 

a. Immunisation should be provided to avoid polio attack (17 percent) 

b. Safe sex to avoid AIDS (15 percent) 

c. Drinking habit leads to fasting of family members ( 8 percent) 


Among the various activities seen/participated by the respondents, orientation (awareness 

camps) is the only main RCH-IEC activity of Kolar ZSS that aimed at the direct 

participation of the community members. 

Orientation programmes are attended more by women, persons less than age 25, persons 

who have studied beyond middle school, married persons, and opinion leaders. 

It is found that from the study that about 30 percent of the targeted population were exposed 

to the RCH- IEC activities of the ZSS, Kolar. Further, although the scheme aimed at 

exposing the poor and the illiterate persons to RCH messages, it is important to note fewer 

illiterates have exposed to IEC activities of ZSS. 









Majority of those who attended orientation programmes, did so only once. A little more than 

half of them reported that Saksharatene had organised these orientation programmes. Nearly 

81 


three-fifth reported that the training programmes were organised in schools. Most of them 

received the information on the training in advance. 


informed that lecture was the method of training. Majority of the respondent reported that 

medical officers and health workers as the resource persons. The different topics reported as 

included in these training programmes are childcare (60 percent), maternal care (36 percent), 

family planning (35 percent), AIDS (31 percent), age at marriage (22 percent), and 

menstruation (17 percent). The most important messages received from these training 

programmes were - “For keeping good health pregnant women should consume nutritious 

food”, “Blind beliefs should not be followed during menstruation”, “Use family planning 

methods to limit the family size”, “safe sex to avoid AIDS” and “marriage age of girls is 18 

and boys is 21”. 



ZSS in Belgaum, only around one-third of the respondents have seen/participated in these 

programmes. Even in villages where these activities are conducted (Out of the 12 villages 

selected for the study, 6 were the villages where the ZSS had organised street plays and folk 

songs), only 31 and 27 percent reported to have seen the street play and folksong 

performances, respectively. The orientation and training workshops, which were organised 

in 4 of the 12 villages selected, are attended by 21 percent of the respondents, overall, and 

only 23 percent of the respondents from villages where this activity was performed. 


members of community who are not opinion leaders, and of course by the respondents from 

villages where the ZSS has not organised these programmes. On the other hand, women, 

persons above age 25, persons who have studied beyond middle school, married persons, 

and opinion leaders, attend orientation/training programmes more. 


messages, it is important to note that their exposure is more on street plays and orientation 

programmes. 








training/orientation programmes, the results are not shown in a tabular form. 

Majority of those who attended orientation programmes did so only once. About forty two 

percent of them reported that health department had organised these orientation 

82 


programmes. However, one quarter of them reported that this was organised by the Akshara 

Prabha. More than half of them reported that they received the communication 2 or more 

days in advance. 

The average reported duration of the orientation workshop is 3 ½ hours. All the participants 

informed that lecture was the method of training; and mostly the local Lady Medical 

Officer/Medical Officer was the resource person. The different topics reported as included 

in these training programmes are: maternal care (55 percent), childcare (50 percent), family 

planning (47 percent), AIDS (22 percent), age at marriage (22 percent) and nutritious food 

(19 percent). The most important messages received from these training programmes were - 

“women should take nutritious food and go for health check-up during pregnancy”, 

“marriage age for girls is 18 and boys it is 21”, “small family is happy family” and 

“pregnant women should receive TT”. 



mass, who are not exposed much to the modernising influences. As mentioned earlier, 

street-plays and folk songs were the folk media used under this scheme in Belgaum district. 

Some particulars regarding the street-plays and folk songs were asked to the respondents 

who were exposed to them, in order to ascertain the reach effectiveness of these media. 

As discussed earlier, around one-quarter each of the respondents reported that they have 

seen street plays and 23 percent of the respondents have heard folk songs. Majority of those 

who had heard folksongs (79 percent) said that the folksongs were part of the street plays. 

Most (62 percent) of them reported that they have seen the street-play only once during the 

last one year. With regard to the place of staging, a substantial proportion (38 percent) 

informed that the street-play was conducted in front of the temple. Around one-third of the 

respondents correctly knew that the street plays were organised by the Akshara Prabha 

Samiti and 30 percent thought that the street plays were organised by Gram Panchayat. The 

average duration of the street play performance as reported by the audience was about 1 and 

halfhours. 



street-plays, about three-fourth of those who had seen a street play had received notification 

about it adequately in advance. It is surprising to note that almost all the respondents who 

had seen the street play could not recall the name of the street play. 



plays in the order of frequency of reporting are: child care (55 percent), AIDS (47 percent), 

family planning (26 percent), ), blind beliefs on health care practices (19 percent), problems 

of alcohol consumption (17 percent), maternal care (13 percent) and age at marriage (11 

percent). The street play performance was satisfactory according to the majority (96 percent) 

of the respondents. 

83 


The reported themes covered in folksongs, in the order of frequency are: childcare (50 

percent), AIDS (43 percent), family planning (41 percent), problems of alcohol consumption 

(19 percent) maternal care (7 percent) and age at marriage (7 percent). 

According to the respondents who had seen a street play, the most important messages 



b. Small family is happy family (13 percent) 

c. Should be cautious about AIDS transmission (11 percent) 

d. Alcohol consumption leads to health and family problems (11 percent) 

e. Marriage age for girls is 18 and it is 21 for boys (9 percnet) 

f. Breast milk is good for child's health (9 percent) 

g. Blind beliefs should not be followed in health care practices (8 percent) 

The important messages received through the folk songs as reported by those who were 

exposed to folk songs are: 

a. Immunisation should be provided to avoid polio attack and other childhood diseases (12 

percent) 

b. Should be cautious about AIDS transmission (12 percent) 

c. Alcohol consumption leads to health and family problems (10 percent) 

d. Small family is happy family (10 percent) 

e. Breast milk is good for child's health (7 percent) 

f. AIDS is a dangerous disease and no treatment for this (7 percent) 

84 


Chapter 

6 

85 

5 # 

At the instance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of 

India, the Population Research Centre, JSS Institute of Economic Research, Dharwad 

undertook an evaluation of the scheme ‘RCH-IEC Activities through Zilla Saksharata Samitis 

(ZSS)’ in five districts of Karnataka - Davanagere, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Kolar and Belgaum. 

The Scheme itself aimed at (1) promoting the participation of ZSSs in organizing IEC 

activities in the area of reproductive and child health, who had ample experience in carrying 

out mass literacy campaigns throughout the country, and (2) development and dissemination 

of IEC materials for RCH in the local language in the acceptable folk media, incorporating 

local images and idioms, themes and talents, so that the substantial proportion of the rural 

population who are not exposed to the regular IEC activities of the Department of Health and 

Family Welfare are reached. 

The MOHFW, in consultation with the Department of Education, Ministry of Human 

Resource Development, Government of India, invited the proposals from various Deputy 

Commissioners/ZSSs for carrying out IEC activities for reproductive and child health. The 

guidelines for the project proposal were also sent to the Deputy Commissioners/ZSSs in 1998. 

The project proposals received from the ZSSs were scrutinized at MOHFW, and were 

sanctioned after due modifications, to 216 ZSSs. After the lapse of one year following the 

sanctioning of the scheme, the performance of the scheme is being evaluated with the main 

objective of (1) assessing whether the activities have been carried out according to the 

proposal, (2) the utilization of funds for specific approved activities, (3) coordination with the 

local health personnel, (4) the probable impact of the scheme on knowledge and awareness of 

the target population and (5) the perceived strengths and the weaknesses of the scheme as per 

the ZSS and health personnel at various levels as well as the beneficiaries. 

The evaluation was conducted involving detailed discussions, in each selected district, with 

the ZSS and health functionaries at the district, taluka and village levels. In addition, a 

randomly selected sample of opinion leaders and community members were interviewed in 

each district with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire on exposure to different IEC 

activities related to health and family welfare as well as their knowledge on the selected RCH 

themes. 

The important observations made during the evaluation are summarized below, separately for 

each of the districts studied: 



1. Project proposal: The project proposal was prepared mainly by the ZSS Secretary, 

Davanagere District, who was also in charge of the Chitradurga ZSS at that time. To that 

extent, the two project proposals do not differ much. The proposal itself was prepared 

based on the proposals by the ZSS of neighboring districts. 

Although the guidelines from MOHFW suggested the involvement of the local health 

personnel in every stages of planning and implementation of the scheme, the ZSS 

Davanagere did not seek any assistance from the District Health Officer or District Health 

Education Officer for the preparation of the project proposal. 

The proposal submitted to and approved by the MOHFW did not include any districtspecific 

content or activity, although the guidelines for the scheme suggested the same. 

Both the guidelines and the proposal sanctioned do not indicate, in detail, the 

operationalization of the proposed IEC activities. For instance, the guidelines for the 

preparation of the proposal provide, in detail, the various subject matter that should be 

included in the IEC activities but do not reveal how these contents should actually be 

incorporated in specific activities such as Kalajatha, folk songs etc. Similarly, the 

proposal did not mention specifically, with respect to the orientation and training 

programmes, the topics to be covered, the resource persons to be used and how the 

trained persons will be utilised subsequently in the scheme. The proposal was silent 

about the number of street plays and folk songs to be developed. It does not provide the 

details regarding the number of troupes and number of artists per troupe and the level at 

which these performances are to be organised. 

A review of the communication between MOHFW and the ZSS reveals that although 

the MOHFW observed certain information-gaps and suggested a revision of the 

proposal, the revised proposal did not address all the clarifications sought. However, the 

proposal of Davanagere ZSS was ultimately sanctioned without obtaining the necessary 

clarifications. 

Following the approval of the revised proposal, an amount of Rs. 3,50,000 was released 

to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of Karnataka vide letter dated 24 August, 

1999 and the same was communicated to the District Collector through the letter dated 

23 September, 1999. However the funds for the scheme was released to the ZSS only on 

11 November, 1999 and the amount was received on 7 December, 1999. Thus, the time 

gap between the sanction of the fund at the central level and receipt of the same by the 

ZSS is about 3 months. The scheme was actually launched in district Davanagere on 14 

February, 2000 – two months after the receipt of the funds. 

The project proposal which was approved by MOHFW had a provision for 

Preraka/Aganawadi worker/ANM as co-ordinators and elected Gram Panchayat 

members and local school teacher as the members of the local team for the effective 

implementation of various IEC activities under the scheme. But during the evaluation, 

no such local team was identified in any of the villages covered for the evaluation. 

86 


The following activities - to be organized at the Distrcit, Taluka and village levels – 

were sanctioned under the scheme to Davanagere ZSS: 

a. Orientation workshops for officials/NGOs, 1 to be organized at the district level and 

7 at the Taluka level 

b. Material Development Workshop, one each to develop posters, folk-songs, and 

street plays, to be organized by the ZSS at the district level 

c. Street plays – 100 performances 

d. Folk songs – 100 performances 

e. Posters – about 10,000 posters to be displayed 

f. Wall-writing – 100 in number 

g. Seminars/Workshops at Taluka, Panchayat and village levels – a total of 100 

workshops to be organized 

h. District-level workshops – a total of five – involving elected representatives, 


i. Orientation workshops exclusively for neo-literates. 

2. RCH-IEC activities: For carrying out the RCH-IEC activities effectively, each TSS was 

given an action plan according to which various Taluka and Gram Panchayat/village 

level activities under the scheme were implemented. The ZSS sanctioned the related 

funds to the TSS. The following is the summary of the activities carried out by the 

Davanagere, ZSS against the activities proposed and sanctioned by the MOHFW. 

Orientation workshop for officials/NGOs: Under orientation workshops for the 

officials/NGOs, it was proposed and approved to carry out a two-day ZSS level 

workshop for Rs. 5,000 and 7 Taluka-level workshops at the cost of Rs. 1,000 per 

workshop, for 25-30 participants each. However, the records available with the ZSS as 

well as the discussions with the ZSS Secretary, all these eight workshops were 

combined into one activity, that too, for half-a-day, following a meeting of the Executive 

Committee of the ZSS. They were not conducted separately, as it was proposed. The 

total expenditure incurred was Rs. 4,250 against the sanctioned budget of Rs. 12,000. 

Material development workshop: The proposed activities under material development 

includes a two-day workshop on posters, two-day workshop on folk songs and a fiveday 

workshop on street plays. As against the proposal, the ZSS organized 

a. a three-day workshop to develop the scripts for 4 street plays,12 folk songs and 1 

Rupaka, 

b. a three-day workshop for directors and artists for street plays and folksongs, and 

c. another two-day workshop for the directors, actors and singers. 

Of the three workshops, two were conducted for Davanagere and Chitradurga districts 

combined. No workshop was conducted for the development of posters, and the 

workshops were not organized separately for the development of street plays and 

folksongs. 

87 


It is evident that the Davanagere ZSS has taken very keen interest in developing the 


consisting of 12 performers, one troupe in each Taluka, for presentation of these street 

plays and folk songs. 

Street play and Folk songs: The sanctioned proposal included a provision for conducting 

100 performances each of street plays and folk songs, separately, by involving the local 

NGOs. However, the available records as well as the discussions with the ZSS Secretary 

indicate that the same troupe performed both the street plays and folksongs at one 

occasion, and they were combined to make the campaign more effective. The total 

number of street-play and folk song performances also were more than the number 

proposed – a total of 257 performances in rural areas and 69 in urban areas. 

Posters: It was proposed to develop and print posters under the scheme. However, this 

activity was not carried out till this evaluation. 

Wall writing: The proposed wall-writing activity was also not initiated at the time of this 

evaluation. It was reported that the details about the size of wall writing, the level at 

which the activity will be carried out, and the themes/messages to be included in these 

wall-writings are yet to be finalized. 

Seminars/Workshops at Taluka/GP/village level: According to the sanctioned scheme, 

the ZSS had to organize 100 seminars/workshops at Taluka/Gram Panchayat/Village 

levels for PRI representatives, literacy volunteers, women leaders, NGOs and neoliterates. 

It was reported by the ZSS Secretary that a total of 35 workshops at 

Taluka/Gram Panchayat/Village level were planned, against which 33 were organised in 

the district as a whole. 

District level workshop: It was proposed to organise five district-level workshops for 

representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and NGOs, women leaders, journalists and 

literacy workers. It was reported to the evaluation team that these workshops are yet to 

be organized. 

Orientaion workshops exclusively for neo-literates: As per the scheme proposed and 

approved, the ZSS had to organise orientation workshops exclusively for neo-literates to 

sensitize them on various issues related to RCH. One such district-level workshop has 

been reported. 

3. Co-ordination with the Health Department: Although the local health personnel at the 

district level were not involved in the preparation of the proposal, at later stages of 

implementation of the scheme, the ZSS and the DHO’s office together co-ordinated the 

activities under the scheme. The involvement was greater at the Taluka and Village 

level activities – as the TMOs and MOs along with their various paramedical staff 

participated in the activities under the scheme. The contribution was in terms of 

resource persons, IEC materials, supply of ORS and contraceptives for demonstration 

purposes and transportation. 

88 


4. Budget: Comparing the discussions with the ZSS Secretary, the Quarterly Reports of 

activities and expenditure submitted by ZSS to MOHFW, the following points need 

further clarifications: 

a. An expenditure of Rs. 10,950 is shown against Orientation Workshop for 

Officials/NGOs. However, the ZSS Secretary reported only one workshop for 

which an amount of Rs. 4,250 was spent. 

b. An expenditure of Rs. 5,000 is shown against five district-level workshops, which 

were not reported by the ZSS, Secretary. 

c. An amount of Rs. 31,020 was spent in March, 2000 for organising 63 

seminars/workshops at Taluka/GP/Village level. However, the ZSS did not 

organise any such seminars/workshops in March. The ZSS Secretary reported that a 

two-day workshop for Directors and Artists at Kondajji in Harihar Taluka was 

organized during 27-28 March, 2000 and had spent Rs. 31,020 for the same. 

However, in the statement of accounts submitted to MOHFW, the amount was 

shown as an expenditure towards 63 workshops at the Taluka/GP/Village level. 

5. Community members’ exposure to RCH-IEC activities: A large majority of the 

community members and opinion leaders interviewed (84 percent) reported an exposure 

to at least one IEC activity on health and family welfare during the year preceding the 

interview. The specific activities seen/participated, as reported by the respondents are: 

posters/hoarding/handbill – 65 percent; advertisement on television – 42 percent; Jatha – 

28 percent; street plays – 26 percent; folksongs – 23 percent; Orientation/training – 11 

percent; and other activity – 2 percent. The exposure to any of the three activities 

carried out by ZSS (street plays, folksongs, and training/orientation programme) is to the 

extent of 37 percent of the respondents. 

Although street plays and folksongs were the major RCH-IEC activities carried out by 

the ZSS, only around a quarter of the respondents have seen these programmes. Even in 

villages where these activities are conducted (Out of the 12 villages selected for the 

study, 6 were the villages where the ZSS had organized street plays and folk songs), 

only 44 and 33 percent have reported seeing street play and folksong performances, 

respectively. The orientation and training workshops, which were organized in 4 of the 

12 villages selected, are attended by 11 percent of the respondents, overall, and 20 

percent of the respondents from villages where this activity was performed. 


members of community who are not opinion leaders, and of course by the respondents 

from villages where the ZSS has not organized these programmes. On the other hand, 


persons who have studied beyond middle school, married persons, and community 

leaders. In fact, the orientation/training activity at the Gram Panchayat level catered 

mostly to the local Anganwadi teachers and female teachers of local school. Although 

the scheme aimed at exposing the poor and the illiterate persons to RCH messages, it is 

important to note that their exposure is very less as compared to literate people. 

89 


6. Awareness of community members’ on selected RCH issues: In general, the awareness 

on the measured RCH issues seems to be better among those who were exposed to either 

street play or folksong or orientation/training programme organized by ZSS compared to 

those who were not exposed to these activities. 


1. Project proposal: It is reported by the present ZSS Secretary Chitradurga that the 

project proposal for the district was prepared based on the experience during a 

workshop organised by State Resource Centre (SRC), Mysore. The actual proposal 

was prepared with the help of the then Assistant Director, Women and Child 

Development and the District Health Education Officer, Chitradurga. 

The ZSS, Chitradurga submitted its project proposal to the Ministry on 8 January, 

1999 – almost 7 months after the first call for proposals and 3 months after the second 

communication regarding the guidelines. 

The proposal submitted by the ZSS was approved with little modification and an amount 

of Rs. 4,50,000 was released to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of Karnataka 

vide letter dated 31, March, 1999 and the same was communicated to the District 

Collector. However the funds for the scheme was released to the ZSS on 22 September, 

1999 and the amount was received only on 1 January, 2000. Thus, the time gap between 

the sanction of the fund at the central level and receipt of the same by the ZSS is about 9 

months. The scheme was actually launched in Chitradurga district on 3 December, 1999 

– before receiving the funds. 



Both the guidelines and the proposal sanctioned do not indicate, in detail, the 

operationalization of the proposed IEC activities. For instance, the guidelines for the 

preparation of the proposal provide, in detail, the various subject matter that should be 

included in the IEC activities but do not reveal how these contents should actually be 

incorporated in specific activities such as Kalajatha, folk songs etc. Similarly, the 

proposal did not mention specifically, with respect to the orientation and training 

programmes, the topics to be covered, the resource persons to be used and how the 

trained persons will be utilised subsequently in the scheme. The proposal was silent 

about the number of street plays and folk songs to be developed. It does not provide the 

details regarding the number of troupes and number of artists per troupe and the level at 

which these performances are to be organised. 

The project proposal which was approved by MOHFW had a provision for 

Preraka/Anganwadi worker/ANM as co-ordinators and elected Gram Panchayat 

members and local school teacher as the members of the local team for the effective 

implementation of various IEC activities under the scheme. But during the evaluation, 

no such local team was identified in any of the villages covered for the evaluation. 

90 


The following activities - to be organized at the District, Taluka and village levels – 

were sanctioned under the scheme to Chitradurga ZSS: 

a. Orientation workshops for officials/NGOs, 1 to be organized at the district level and 

7 at the Taluka level 

b. Material Development Workshop, one each to develop posters, folk-songs, and 

street plays, to be organized by the ZSS at the district level 

c. Street plays – 100 performances 

d. Folk songs – 100 performances 

e. Posters – about 10,000 posters to be displayed 

f. Wall-writing – 500 in number 

g. Seminars/Workshops at Taluka, Panchayat and village levels – a total of 240 

workshops to be organized 

h. District-level workshops – a total of five – involving elected representatives, 


2. RCH-IEC activities: Each TSS was given an action plan according to which various 

Taluka and Gram Panchayat/village level activities under the scheme were 

implemented. The ZSS sanctioned the related funds to the TSS. The following is the 

summary of the activities carried out by the Chitradurga, ZSS against the activities 

proposed and sanctioned by the MOHFW. 

Orientation workshop for Officials/NGOs: Under orientation workshops for the 

officials/NGOs, it was proposed and approved to carry out a two-day ZSS level 

workshop for Rs. 5,000 and 7 Taluka-level workshops (there are only 6 Talukas in 

Chitradurga district) at the cost of Rs. 1,000 per workshop, for 25-30 participants each. 

However, the two-day ZSS-level workshop has not been organized so far. Five Talukalevel 

orientation programmes for officials of various Government departments have 

been organized. However, in some Talukas, this workshop was combined with some 

other Taluka-level workshops. 

Material development workshop: The proposed activities under material development 

includes a two-day workshop on posters, two-day workshop on folk songs and a fiveday 

workshop on street plays. As against the proposal, the ZSS organized : Of the three 

workshops, two were conducted together for Davanagere and Chitradurga districts. No 

workshop was conducted for the development of posters, and the workshops were not 

organized separately for the development of street plays and folksongs. As against the 

proposal, the ZSS organized: 

a. a three-day workshop to develop the scripts for 4 street plays,12 folk songs and 1 

Rupaka, 

b. a three-day workshop for directors and artists for street plays and folksongs, and 

c. another three-day workshop for the artists at the Taluka level. 

91 


Of the three workshops, two were conducted together for Davanagere and 

Chitradurga districts. No workshop was conducted for the development of posters, 

and the workshops were not organized separately for the development of street plays 

and folksongs. 

It is evident that the Chitradurga ZSS has taken very keen interest in developing the 


consisting of 12 performers, one troupe in each Taluka, for presentation of these 

street plays and folk songs. 

Street plays and Folk songs: The sanctioned proposal included a provision for 

conducting 100 performances each of street plays and folk songs, separately, by 

involving the local NGOs. However, the same troupe performed both the street plays 

and folksongs at one occasion, and they were combined to make the campaign more 

effective. The total number of street-play and folk song performances also were more 

than the number proposed – a total of 351 performances. 

Posters: It was proposed to develop and print 10,000 posters under the scheme. The 

Chitradurga ZSS printed 6,000 posters and 4,000 brochures showing important 

messages on RCH issues. However, these posters and brochures do not follow the 

principles of designing such communication materials, and suffer from several 

editorial errors. 

Wall writing: The proposed wall-writing activity has been initiated in four Talukas of 

the district. The messages are generally written on the walls of Gram Panchayats and 

other government buildings in villages and Government buildings located in Taluka 

head quarters. 

In addition to these wall-writings, 9 hoardings were also erected at prominent places 

conveying messages on reproductive and child health. However, this activity was 

neither proposed nor sanctioned under the scheme. 

Seminars/workshops at Taluka/GP/village level: According to the sanctioned scheme, 

the ZSS had to organize 240 seminars/workshops at Taluka/Gram Panchayat/Village 

levels for PRI representatives, literacy volunteers, women leaders, NGOs and neoliterates. 

However, a total of 8 Taluka-level workshops and 39 Gram 

Panchayat/Village level workshops covering 190 Gram Panchayats are reported to 

have been organized. 

Distirict level workshops: It was proposed to organise five district-level workshops 

for representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and NGOs, women leaders, 

journalists and literacy workers. Instead, the ZSS instructed the six TSSs to carry out 

Taluka-level workshops exclusively for PRI representatives, and such workshops 

were organised in three Talukas. 

92 


FM Radio Programme: This activity was not sanctioned under this scheme. This 

programme was organised as a part of the tenth anniversary of the Chitradurga AIR 

through ZSS, Chitradurga. Under this programme, messages on RCH were aired for 

13 weeks on every Friday between 6.00 to 6.20 PM. Based on this programme one 

competition was also organised for the public. 

Debate competition for Pre-university and high school students: According to the 

ZSS, all the TSSs were instructed to organise a debate competition for the Preuniversity 

and high school students at Taluka level. At the time of evaluation study, 

this activity was organised only in two Talukas. 

3. Co-ordination with the Health Department: The ZSS and the DHO’s office together 

co-ordinated in almost all the activities under the scheme. The involvement was 

greater at the Taluka and Village-level activities – as the TMOs and MOs along 

various paramedical staff participated in the activities under the scheme. The 

contribution was in terms of resource persons, IEC materials, supply of ORS and 

contraceptives for demonstration purposes and transportation. 

4. Budget: Comparing the discussion with the ZSS Secretary as well as the Taluka Coordinators, 

the Quarterly reports of activities and expenditure submitted to MOHFW, 

the following points need further clarifications: 

a. According to the Quarterly progress report submitted by Chitradurga ZSS to 

MOHFW, New Delhi, an expenditure of Rs. 6,635 is spent against 10 Orientation 

Workshops for Officials/NGOs. However, only five such orientation training 

programmes were reported to the evaluation team by the Taluka Co-ordinators 

and the total expenditure reported for this activity is Rs.5,270. 

b. Under the item – wall writing – it is reported that the ZSS has spent an amount of 

Rs. 24,900 in the month of July, 2000. But at the time of the evaluation, this 

activity was in progress only in four of the six Talukas. 

c. The ZSS has reported a total of 217 seminars/workshops at Taluka/GP/Village 

levels for an expenditure of Rs. 116,836. However, the Taluka Co-ordinators 

reported only 47 such seminars/workshops (8 Taluka-level and 39 Gram 

Panchayat level workshops covering 190 Gram Panchayats). 

d. An expenditure of Rs. 6,950 was shown against five district-level workshops. As 

discussed earlier this activity was changed to Workshop exclusively for PRI 

representatives at the Taluka level. At the time of evaluation study, i.e. on 

October, 2000, only three such workshops were reported to be organised 

exclusively for the PRI representatives at Taluka level and the total amount spent 

for these three workshops was Rs. 1,850. 


respondents (84 percent) reported an exposure to at least one IEC activity on health 

and family welfare during the year preceding the interview. The specific activities 

seen/participated, as reported by the respondents are: posters/hoarding/handbill – 68 

percent; advertisement on television – 38 percent; street plays – 32 percent; folksongs 

93 


– 26 percent; Orientation/training – 11 percent; Jatha – 11 percent; and other activity 

– 4 percent. The exposure to any of the three activities carried out by ZSS (street 

plays, folksongs, and training/orientation programme) is to the extent of 42 percent of 

the respondents. 

Although street plays and folksongs were the major RCH-IEC activities carried out 

by the ZSS, only around one-third of the respondents have seen these programmes. 

Even in villages where these activities are conducted (Out of the 12 villages selected 

for the study, 6 were the villages where the ZSS had organized street plays and folk 

songs), only 46 and 32 percent have reported seeing street play and folksong 

performances, respectively. The orientation and training workshops, which were 

organized in 4 of the 12 villages selected, are attended by 11 percent of the 

respondents, overall, and only 9 percent of the respondents from villages where this 

activity was performed. 

The street plays and folksongs are less likely to be seen by women, members of 

community who are not opinion leaders, and of course by the respondents from 

villages where the ZSS has not organized these programmes. On the other hand, 


persons who have studied beyond middle school, married persons, and opinion 

leaders. In fact, the orientation/training activity at the Gram Panchayat level catered 

mostly to the local Anganwadi teachers and female teachers of local school. Although 

the scheme aimed at exposing the poor and the illiterate persons to RCH messages, it 

is important to note that their exposure is limited to street plays and folk songs. 

6. Awareness of community mebers on selected RCH issues: In general, the awareness 

on the measured RCH issues seems to be better among those who were exposed to 

either street play or folksong or orientation/training programme organized by ZSS 

compared to those who were not exposed to these activities. 


1. Project proposal: The Secretary, ZSS was very much worried and doubted whether he 

will be able to prepare a proposal on RCH that was asked by the MOHFW, New 

Delhi. He discussed the letter from MOHFW with the Additional Director, RCH, 

Bangalore and collected relevant IEC materials from him. As the Secretary was not 

yet confident of preparing the project proposal, he requested the District Leprosy 

Officer, Tumkur to draft a proposal on behalf of ZSS. However, the District Leprosy 

Officer, in turn, asked the ZSS Secretary to prepare a draft proposal after which he 

will help to finalize the same. Subsequently, the ZSS Secretary, together with District 

Adult Education Officer and district Co-ordinator prepared a draft proposal, based on 

his discussions with the Additional Director, Bangalore. This draft proposal was 

modified by the District Leprosy Officer by including appropriate medical words. The 

modified proposal was further discussed with the DHO, DHEO, ADHEO and DNO. 

The proposal for the Tumkur ZSS was prepared by the Secretary, DAEO and a 

district coordinator after discussion with Additional Director, RCH, Bangalore. The 

94 


draft proposal was shown to district health officials for comments. Based on their 

comments the proposal was finalised. 

The ZSS, Tumkur submitted its project proposal to the Ministry on 14 August 1998 – 

2 months after the call for proposals. 

The ZSS Tumkur received a letter dated 23 August, 1999 from the Joint Secretary, 

MOHFW informing that the proposal has been sanctioned. However, the letter did 

neither mention the amount sanctioned nor send the specific activities that are approved 

under the scheme. 

Subsequently, the ZSS received a letter from Additional Director, Bangalore, on 12 

October, 1999 informing that Rs. 433,000 is sanctioned to ZSS for the project. However, 

the funds for the scheme were received by the ZSS on 3, January 2000. As per the 

communication to the evaluation team from the MOHFW, the Department of Family 

Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi had released an amount of 

Rs. 433,900 January, 1999 to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of Karnataka for 

carrying out RCH-IEC activities in Tumkur District through the ZSS Thus, the time gap 

between the sanction of the fund from the centre and the receipt of the same by the ZSS 

is about 12 months. The scheme was actually launched in the district on 11 October, 

1999 – along with the first round of the Pulse Polio Programme, much before receiving 

the funds. The funds from the PLC were utilized for the RCH-IEC activities till the 

funds for the project were received. 



The project proposal submitted to MOHFW is very elaborate and has 4 sections. The 

proposal contains the profile of the district, background, objectives of the project, activities 

and strategies for implementation of activities. Further, for each proposed activity - the 

importance of the activity, purpose, target group to be included, number to be organised, at 

what level the activity will be conducted, and the topics to be covered – are clarified in the 

proposal. However, the proposal did not mention specifically, with respect to the 

orientation training programmes, the resource persons to be used and how the trained 

persons will be utilised subsequently in the scheme. The proposal was silent about the 

number of street plays, folk songs and skits to be developed. 

The scheme aimed to implement the activities in the district through district/taluka/ 

panchayat level co-ordinators besides 30,000 volunteers worked during TLC and about 

6000 volunteers of PLC. However, it was observed that only few volunteers were 

involved in implementing the scheme. 

More specifically, the Tumkur ZSS proposed a total of 11 different activities, to be 

organised at the District, Taluka and village levels: 

a. Inauguration function 

b. Workshop for Kala Jatha artists at district and Taluka level 

c. Kalajatha performances in all major jathras (fairs), festivals etc. at Taluka level 

95 


d. One-day orientation programme for 50 youths on sex education at Taluka level 

e. One-day orientation programme for 25 men parlour workers at Taluka level 

f. One-day orientation programme for 50 adolescent girls at Taluka level 

g. Orientation training camps for Neo-literates 

h. A total of 500 Convention of Eligible Couples at Panchayat level 

i. Wall writings – 10,000 

j. Printing of 10,000 hand-bills 

k. Essay writing, debates etc at School/College/ Taluka/ District level. 

The letter from the Joint Secretary (dated 23, August 1998) asked the ZSS Tumkur to 

submit a detailed action plan for RCH-IEC activities in general and for the Pulse Polio 

Immunisation (PPI) effort in particular. Since this letter did not mention the specific 

activities sanctioned and instead asked for an action plan for RCH-IEC activities in 

general and PPI in particular, the Tumkur ZSS Secretary thought it necessary to modify 

the original proposal, however, keeping the total cost of the project the same. 

Subsequently, the original proposal submitted to the MOHFW was modified, in 

consultation with the RCH subcommittee and DHO, and an action plan was prepared to 

include IEC programmes for PPI. The draft action plan was put before the Executive 

Committee of ZSS on 29 October, 1999 and was finalised. However, this revised action 

plan was not sent to the MOHFW, for its approval. Thus no written or oral permission 

was obtained from the MOHFW for change in the action plan. 

The revised action plan included 7 activities, which are proposed to be organised at 

district, Taluka and village levels under the RCH-IEC scheme. They are: 

96 

a. One-day workshop for 1000 literacy volunteers covering ten Talukas 

b. 100 Kalajatha (folk songs, street plays and awareness songs) performances 

covering ten Talukas 

c. Programme for adolescent girls in 500 institutions 

d. Taluka-level competition for pre-university and university students 

e. Taluka-level programme for men parlour workers – about 300 to be covered 

f. Printing of handbills 

g. PPI programme 

The revised action plan is not as much detailed as the original proposal was, and did not 

include many of the activities earlier proposed to and sanctioned by the MOHFW. The 

activities which are not included in the revised action plan are: 

- orientation training programme for neo-literates 

- convention of eligible couples at Panchayat level 

- Kalajatha workshop at district and Taluka level 

- wall writings, and 

- inaugural function 


2. RCH-IEC Activities: The following is the summary of activities carried out by the 

Tumkur ZSS against the activities proposed and sanctioned by the MOHFW (prerevised). 

Inauguration function: Although an inauguration function was sanctioned by the 

MOHFW (Rs. 4500), the Tumkur-ZSS did not utilize this fund for the inauguration 

function it organized on 11 January, 2000, along with one of the training programmes 

for female literacy workers in Tumkur Taluka. 

Workshop for Kalajatha artists: According to the original proposal submitted to and 

sanctioned by the MOHFW, the Tumkur ZSS was supposed to organize one districtlevel 

workshop to train the master-trainers (two from each Taluka). The two mastertrainers 

from each Taluka, in turn, are supposed to train 20 artists from the respective 

Taluka in a separate Taluka-level workshop. An amount of Rs. 93,000 was sanctioned 

for organizing these workshops and no separate funds were asked for staging these 

Kalajatha performances. However, only one training programme was organized at the 

district-level to train Kalajatha artists – two from each Taluka – and only one Kalajatha 

troupe was formulated for the district as a whole. The Kalajatha was performed during a 

fixed time period in a total of 232 villages covering all the ten Talukas of the district, 

instead of organizing them in major jathras and festivals as it was proposed. The troupe 

performed one street play (Mahamari), two folk dances, a Rupaka and a gigipada in all 

the selected villages of the district. 

Orientation for youths: The sanctioned proposal has a provision to organise one-day 

orientation to 50 youths in each Taluka on sex education. However, the target group for 

this activity has been changed from youths to literacy workers (again without informing 

the MOHFW) and separate workshops for males and females were organized in all the 

ten Talukas. In the district as a whole, about 500 male and 500 female literacy workers 

were trained under this activity during January-March, 2000. Each participant was 

given a RCH handbook - Arogyadangala - developed by the ZSS and the training was 

based on this handbook 

Orientation for men-parlour workers: The sanctioned proposal has a provision to 

organise one-day orientation to 25 men parlour workers in each Taluka. A total of 270 

men parlour workers were trained in November 2000 covering all the ten Talukas. The 

training was based on a separate handout specially developed (in Kannada) for the 

purpose by the ZSS and each participant was given this handout. 

Orientation for adolescent girls: According to the proposal, one-day orientation 

programme will be organized for adolescent girls (both those who have attained 

menarche and those who have not) on issues relating to the cleanliness and hygiene 

during menstruation. Accordingly, 50 girls in each Taluka will be given this orientation 

with the help of the female Health Assistant. Differing from the original project 

proposal, the orientation was organised in two phases. During the first phase, selected 

resource persons from each Taluka were given training at the District level and 

subsequently, in the second phase, these persons provided training to the adolescent girl 

97 


students in high schools/colleges. About 44,000 girls from 500 high schools and Junior 

colleges are reported to have been provided orientation, during the later half of 

August, 2000. These orientation programmes were based on a handbook - Moggarali 

Huvagi - developed by the ZSS, Tumkur. 

Orientation training programme for neo-literates: The MOHFW sanctioned an 

amount of Rs. 7,400 for oranizing orientation training camps for neo-literates. 

However, this activity has not yet been organized in the district; and has not been 

included in the action plan revised (unilaterally) by the ZSS. 

Eligible couple conventions: The MOHFW approved 200 conventions of eligible 

couple at Panchayat level to be organized in the district and sanctioned an amount of 

Rs. 100,000 for the purpose. However, this activity has not been organized (till the 

date of this evaluation) in the district. This item was dropped in the action plan 

revised (unilaterally) by the ZSS. 

Wall-writings: The sanctioned proposal has a provision for 5,000 wall-writings. This 

activity was carried out along with the Kalajatha performances organised in the various 

villages of the district. The evaluation team spotted wall-writings in the selected villges 

of all Talukas except Kunigal Taluka. 

Essay and debate competitions: The ZSS Tumkur had proposed and approved to 

organise essay, debate and other competitions among the students of high 

schools/colleges in the district at school/college level. At the time of evaluation, this 

activity was completed in Kunigal, Gubbi and Madhugiri Talukas. 

Pulse polio campaign: The ZSS, Tumkur organised two RCH-IEC activities other than 

the ones sanctioned under the scheme: cycle jatha (once) and auto jathas (thrice) for 

pulse polio campaigns held during October-January, 2000. 

3. Co-ordination with the Health Department: The ZSS and the DHO's office together coordinated 

in almost all the activities under the scheme. The involvement was greater at 

the Taluka level and Village-level activities - as the TMOs and MOs along with various 

paramedical staff participated in the activities under the scheme. The contribution was in 

terms of resource persons, IEC materials, supply of ORS and contraceptives for 

demonstration purposes and transportation. 

4. Budget: Since, there is no similarity between budget sanctioned for various RCH-IEC 

activities and the expenditure incurred for various items, it was very difficult to examine 

the account statements provided by the ZSS against the budget sanctioned. However, 

some discrepancy between the reported expenditure for some activity by the ZSS and 

the sum of the reported expenditure for the same activity by the TSS was noted. For 

example, the sum of the expenditure on the workshop for literacy workers reported by 

all the 10 TSSs is less than the reported expenditure for the same activity by the ZSS 

(Rs. 60,000 compared with Rs. 82,150). 

98 



respondents (90 percent) reported an exposure to at least one IEC activity on health and 

family welfare during the year preceding the interview. The specific activities 

seen/participated, as reported by the respondents are posters/hoarding/handbill –76 

percent; Jatha – 47 percent, advertisement on television –37 percent; street plays – 36 

percent; folksongs – 30 percent and orientation/training – 24 percent. Among these 

specific activities seen/participated by the respondents, the three activities – 

orientation/training, street plays and folksongs – are the most important ones aimed at 

the direct participation of the community members. A total of 53 percent of the 

respondents reported that they have exposed to at least one RCH-IEC activity of ZSS. 

The street plays and folksongs are less likely to be seen by women, those who are below 

age 25 and illiterates, members of community who are not opinion leaders, and of 

course by the respondents from villages where the ZSS has not organised these 

programmes. On the other hand, orientation/training programmes are attended more by 

women, persons less than age 25, persons who have studied beyond middle school, 

unmarried persons, and opinion leaders. This may because of the fact that, some of the 

training programmes of ZSS were targeted only for adolescent girls. 

6. Awareness of community members on selected RCH issues: In general, the awareness 





1. Project proposal: The Kolar ZSS was not aware of the scheme until it received a letter 

from MOHFW (dated 12 February, 1999) sanctioning the scheme to the district. The 

project proposal was prepared and sent by the DHO, while the ZSS received the 

sanctioning letter. The Secretary ZSS mentioned that since the subject matter is related 

to health, the then Deputy Commissioner, Kolar forwarded the letter from the MOHFW 

(dated 25, May 1998) to District Health Officer (DHO) and asked to take necessary 

action. Accordingly, the DHO prepared the project proposal and submitted the proposal 

on 18 July, 1998 directly to the MOHFW (a copy was submitted to the DC's Office). 

Hence, the Secretary ZSS does not know much about the project proposal, how it was 

prepared, what aspects were considered for inclusion, persons involved in the 

preparation, the time taken to prepare the project proposal etc. 

The ZSS, Kolar received a letter from MOHFW on 12 February, 1999 informing that 

the project has been sanctioned and asked the ZSS to contact the Secretary, Government 

of Karnataka for release of an amount Rs. 416,300. Thereupon ZSS received the amount 

from Government of Karnataka on 16 November, 1999. Thus, the time gap between the 

sanction of the fund at the central level and receipt of the same by the ZSS is about 8 

months. 

99 


The Secretary, ZSS collected the sanctioned proposal from the DHEO and studied it 

thoroughly. Since the ideas of the health department and ZSS differed very much (ZSS 

expected more programmes on Kalajathas and folk forms which were not proposed), the 

Secretary kept the proposal pending for some period. 

Since the project was sanctioned and the money was received by the ZSS, there was no 

option but to carry out the activities, although it did not like very much the proposal. 

Thus the project proposal was prepared by an agency (DHO) and was executed by 

another agency (ZSS). 

The original project proposal that was submitted to the MOHFW ignored the basic 

philosophy of involving ZSS in promoting RCH-IEC activities, which advocates 

propagating RCH messages through folk forms using local themes, ideas, talent etc. The 

project proposal, instead, looks more like the regular IEC activities that are routinely 

organized by the District Health Department. 

More specifically, the proposal sent by the DHO suggested a total of 20 different 

activities, to be organised at the district, Taluka and Village levels: 

100 

a. 410 Young mothers’ meetings in MSS 

b. 204 Young mothers’ jathas in MSS 

c. 582 Awareness camps for adolescent girls in MSS 

d. 816 RCH sessions in MSS 

e. 1662 Anganwadi sessions for mothers 

f. 114 Awareness camps for health assistants 

g. 500 Awareness camps for literacy workers 

h. 21 Awareness camps for NGO members 

i. 22 Awareness camps Gram Panchayat members 

j. 22 Awareness camps for Taluka Panchayat members 

k. 2 Awareness camps for Zilla Panchayat members 

l. 11 Awareness camps for Taluka level department heads 

m. 2 Awareness camps for district level department heads 

n. 133 Film shows 

o. 434 Video shows 

p. 140 Dish-antenna coverage 

q. 31 Multi-media campaign 

r. 108 Folk-media programme 

s. 3092 Tin wall stencilling 

t. 32 Small hoarding installation 

The MOHFW sanctioned all these proposed activities to be executed by the ZSS, except 

the following seven activities: 

- Young mothers’ meetings in MSS 

- Anganwadi sessions for mothers 

- Film shows 


101 

- Video shows 

- Dish-antenna coverage 

- Multi-media campaigns 

- Folk-media programmes 

Similarly, against the installation of 32 small hoarding, the MOHFW sanctioned only 

fifteen. 

2. RCH-IEC activites: The following is the summary of activities carried out by the Kolar 

ZSS against the activities proposed and sanctioned by the MOHFW. 

Overall, the activities that are proposed and sanctioned are reported to have been 

carried out or under progress. However, the large number of sanctioned awareness 

camps for different categories of people at the district, Taluka and Village/GP levels 

have been combined with one another. 

Young mothers jathas: As per the proposal, about 204 young mothers' jathas have to be 

organised in the district as a whole for an amount of Rs. 20,400. The ZSS has reported to 

the MOHFW, in one of its monthly reports, that 20 Young Mothers’ Jathas were 

organized in the district. But upon further probe by the evaluation team, it was revealed 

that during some of the other orientation programmes, young mothers came in a 

procession, which is treated as Young Mothers’ Jathas. Since no money was spent 

separately for these Jathas, the MOHFW was informed about the completion of 20 

Jathas, with the entire amount sanctioned for this item as unspent balance. 

Awareness Camps for Adolescent Girls: According to the sanctioned proposal, the ZSS 

has to carry out 500 awareness camps for adolescent girls, and an amount of Rs. 100,000 

has been sanctioned for the same. Differing from the original project proposal, the 

orientation was organised in two phases. During the first phase, selected resource 

persons from all the Talukas of the district were given a three-day orientation on 

adolescents during 18-20 November, 2000 at Sunanda Maitri Sagar Residential Training 

School, Kolar. The topics discussed in this orientation programme were mainly based on 

the chapter namely Adolescents Problems and Soulations in the book titled Source 

Book on Population and Development Education developed by the SRC, Mysore. 

Each participant was given the said source book, and was instructed to give orientation 

to all the high-school and college students in their respective Talukas based on the 

chapter on Adolescents Problems and Solutions. During second phase of this activity, 

these resource persons provided training to adolescent students from 85 high 

schools/junior colleges of various Talukas of the district during the months of 

November and December, 2000. 

Awareness Camps for Health Assistants: The MOHFW sanctioned an amount of Rs. 

11,400 for organising 114 awareness camps for health department personnel at the 

PHC level. Under this activity, ZSS has organised only one awareness camp for all the 

Taluka Medical Officers, Medical Officers of the PHCs, all the Block Health Educators, 


all the LHVs and all the Senior health inspectors of the district on 5 August 2000 at 

DHO conference hall. 

Awareness Camps for Literacy Workers: As per the sanctioned proposal, the ZSS has 

to organise a total of 300 awareness camps for literacy workers and an amount of Rs. 

60,000 was sanctioned for this activity. This activity was also organised in two phases. 

In the first phase, the active literacy workers in each Taluka were identified and trained 

on RCH issues in three training workshops, each covering different areas of the district. 

A total of 628 literacy workers from all the Talukas of the district were trained in these 

three camps. During the second stage, these trained literacy workers had organised 

awareness camps in 199 villages at Manavikas Kendras for neo-literates and general 

public covering all the Talukas of the district. 

Awareness Camps for NGO Members: The sanctioned proposal has a provision for 

conducting 21 awareness camps for NGO members at Taluka level. An amount of Rs. 

10,500 was sanctioned for carrying out this activity. The ZSS secretary informed that 

this activity has been organised in all the Talukas along with the awareness camps for 

Taluka-level department heads. 

Awareness Camps for Gram Panchayat Members: According to the sanctioned proposal 

the ZSS has to organise 22 awareness camps for Gram Panchayat members and an 

amount of Rs. 11,000 was sanctioned for carrying out this activity. This activity was 

also not organised separately; instead Gram Panchayat members were invited to 

participate in the awareness camps organised at the village level by the litercay workers 

at Manavikas Kendras. 

Awareness Camps for Taluka Panchayat Members: The MOHFW sanctioned a total of 

22 awareness camps to be organised for Taluka Panchayat members and an amount of 

Rs. 11,000 was sanctioned for the same. Differing from the sanctioned proposal, the 

Taluka Panchayat members were invited to participate in the awareness camps 

organised for Taluka level department heads. 

Awareness Camps for Zilla Panchayat Members: The sanctioned proposal has a 

provision of conducting 2 awareness camps for Zilla Panchayat members and provided 

an amount of Rs. 2,000. The ZSS secretary reported that the awareness camp for Zilla 

Panchayat members was organised along with the awareness camp for district level 

department heads. 

Awareness Camp for Taluka Level Department Heads: The sanctioned proposal has a 

provision of conducting 11 awareness camps for heads of different government 

departments at Taluka level. An amount of Rs. 11,000 was sanctioned for carrying out 

this activity. At the time of the evaluation study the awareness camps for Taluka level 

heads were organized in all Talukas except Kolar, Malur and Bangarpet. These 

awareness camps were organised in the month of August, 2000. 

102 


Awareness Camp for District Level Department Heads: The sanctioned proposal has a 

provision of conducting 2 awareness camps for District level heads. An amount of Rs. 

2,000 was sanctioned for carrying out this activity. As against the sanctioned two 

awareness camps for the district-level officials, only one camp has been organized for 

the sanctioned amount. 

Tin Wall Stenciling: The sanctioned proposal suggested carrying out 3092 tin wall 

stencilling. An amount of Rs. 92,800 was sanctioned for carrying out this activity. The 

Secretary informed that under this activity the ZSS was prepared 20 Zinc stencil sheets 

each containing 6-8 messages on RCH issues and distributed the Zinc sheets to various 

TSSs for writing the messages on the walls of different government buildings located in 

the villages. At the time of the evaluation study the wall-writing was initiated only in 

four Talukas namely Srinivaspura, Chintamani, Malur and Shidlagatta. 

Installation of Small Hoarding: In the sanctioned proposal a provision was made to 

install 15 small hoarding that carry messages on RCH issues and an amount of Rs. 

30,000 was sanctioned to carry out this activity. The Secretary ZSS reported that 

towards this activity, they prepared 12 tin sheet hoarding with iron stand each carrying 

5-6 messages using paint and distributed the hoarding to various TSSs for displaying it 

in the prominent locations of the Taluka headquarters. The hoarding is displayed in only 

three Talukas - Malur, Gouribidnur and Chintamani - in front of the TP office/TSS 

office. 

3. Co-ordination with the Health Department: The discussion with the ZSS Secretary 

revealed that the entire proposal was prepared by the DHEO, Kolar and thus there was 

very good co-operation and co-ordination between ZSS and District health functionaries 

for carrying out various activities in the district. The contribution was in terms of 

resource persons, IEC materials, and supply of ORS and contraceptives for 

demonstration purposes. 

4. Budget: It is surprising to note that no separate bank account was opened for the 

scheme. The fund for the scheme has been credited to the TLC/PLC account. It is also 

important to note that the ZSS is not maintaining a separate account book for the 

scheme. At the time of the evaluation study, it is also found that the monthly expenditure 

statements are not submitted regularly to the MOHFW. Based on the available monthly 

expenditure statements, the evaluation study team observed some discrepancies in the 

reported expenditure that needs further clarification. For example, an amount of Rs. 

10,500 is shown spent for organizing 25 awareness camps for NGO members, while no 

such camps are organized exclusively for NGO members. 




seen/participated, as reported by the respondents are posters/hoarding/handbill –74 

percent; Jatha – 47 percent, advertisement on television – 35 percent; 

orientation/training (awareness camps) – 30 percent and folksongs – 5 percent. Among 

103 


these specific activities seen/participated by the respondents, orientation (awareness 

camp) is the only main RCH-IEC activity of ZSS that aimed at the direct participation of 

the community members. 

Orientation programmes are attended more by women, persons less than age 25, persons 

who have studied beyond middle school, married persons, and opinion leaders Although 

the scheme aimed at exposing the poor and the illiterate persons to RCH messages, it is 

important to note fewer illiterates have exposed to IEC activities of ZSS. 


on the measured RCH issues seems to be better among those who were exposed to 

RCH-IEC activities of ZSS compared to those who were not exposed. 


1. Project proposal: The project proposal submitted by the Belgaum ZSS did not mention 

on how the RCH-IEC activities will be implemented in the district. The IEC activities 

are proposed to be carried out mainly through posters, street plays, folksongs, and 

training programmes involving various target groups at the Taluka/Panchayat/Village 

levels. 

The ZSS, Belgaum had proposed the following activities under the RCH-IEC scheme: 

104 

a. One-day orientation for key-trainers at district-level involving Taluka level 

officials 

b. One-day orientation training at taluka-level for key-trainers involving health 

functionaries 

c. Printing of educational materials 

d. Arranging folk-media programme on RCH through street plays, folk songs etc. 

The MOHFW has sanctioned all the activities proposed by the ZSS-Belgaum, with a 

modification suggested in one of the proposed activities. The MOHFW suggested to 

organise training programme for nava saksharata (neo-literate) leaders instead of 

organising training programmes for health functionareis. Since, in the original proposal 

the Belgaum, ZSS did not mention regarding the type of print material that to be used, 

the MOHFW proposed to print 10000 posters under this item. In the sanctioned 

proposal, the MOHFW also suggested to include training programme for neo-literates. 

The ZSS, Belgaum submitted its project proposal to the Ministry on 28 August, 1998 – 

almost 3 months after the call for proposals. 

The proposal submitted by the Belgaum ZSS was approved with little modification and 

an amount of Rs. 4,16,000 was released to Secretary (Family Welfare), Government of 

Karnataka vide letter dated 20, January, 1999 and the same was communicated to the 

District Collector. However the Government of Karnataka did not inform the ZSS, 

Belgaum regarding the sanctioning and release of funds for the scheme. The ZSS, 


Belgaum received the funds from the Government of Karnataka in February, 2000. 

Thus the time gap between the sanction of the fund at the central level and the receipt of 

the same by the ZSS is about 12 months. 

2. RCH-IEC Activities: The following is the summary of activities carried out by the 

Belgaum, ZSS against the activities proposed and sanctioned by the MOHFW. 

One-day orientation training for key trainers at district level: Under this activity, it 

was proposed and approved to carry out a one-day ZSS level workshop for 100 

participants. An amount of Rs. 21,600 was sanctioned for this purpose. Differing 

from the original proposal, the programme was organized in two batches – one for a 

group of five talukas. The training for first batch involving Belagum, Khanapur, 

Hukkeri, Bailhongal and Savadatti Talukas was organized in Belgaum on 25 March 

2000. Three months later, on 16 June, 2000, the training programme was arranged 

for persons from the remaining five talukas – Chikkodi, Raibag, Athani, Gokak and 

Ramdurg.. About 7 to 8 officials from each Taluka participated in this training 

programmes. However Taluka level officials from one Taluka reported that they were 

not attended and also not aware of this training programme. The total amount spent 

for this activity is Rs. 17,475 

One-day orientation training for Navasaksharata leaders at Taluka level: The project 

had proposed to conduct one-day taluka-level orientation programme for 2200 key 

trainers and resource persons at the Village Panchayat level including Block Health 

Educator, Health Assistant, neo-literate leaders, and ANMs. However, the MOHFW 

suggested including only 1580 neo-literate leaders for the training and an amount of 

Rs. 1,99,500 was sanctioned for this programme. Under this activity, the ZSS, Belgaum 

has provided training programme for about 150 selected neo-literate leaders from each 

Taluka Samitis. Accordingly, the ZSS prepared a time-table and informed the respective 

Taluka co-ordinators for organising the programmes.The selected neo-literate leaders 

were intimated in advance regarding the training programme. In each Taluka (Taluka 

Samiti), the training was given in three batches consisting of about 50 neo-lieterate 

leaders. Between 18 April 2000 and 25 January 2001, the ZSS, Belgaum organized a 

total of 33 training programmes for the neo-literate leaders from the eleven Taluka 

Samitis 

Training of neo-literates: The sanctioned proposal includes organising training 

programmes to neo-literates. The ZSS, Belgaum had organized two such training 

programmes in selected Gram Panchayats of each Taluka and covered a total of 20 

Grama Panchayats (villages) of the district under this activity. This training 

programme was organized during 30 May 2000 to 31 January, 2001. A total of Rs. 

10,000 was spent for this activity. The amount was spent for providing food to the 

participants. 

105 


Printing of Educational Materials: It was proposed to print education materials under 

the scheme. However, the MOHFW sanctioned an amount of Rs. 50,000 for printing 

10000 posters (Rs. 5 per poster) under this activity.Under this activity, the ZSS 

Belgaum printed one poster, one brochure, one folder and one sticker. No workshop 

was organized for developing these materials. All these materials depicting various 

aspects of RCH was prepared in consultation with the DHO, Belgaum. In all 5000 

posters, 1000 brochures, 5000 folders and 5000 stickers were printed. According to 

the ZSS, an amount of Rs. 33,510 was spent for this activity. All these educational 

materials are printed in Kannada. 

Folk media programme on RCH: Under this activity, ZSS has proposed to organize 

street plays and folk songs on RCH issues through kalatandas in the district. An 

amount of Rs. 75,000 was sanctioned for this activity. According to the Secretary, the 

ZSS has organised this activity in two stages. In the first stage, the ZSS has organized 

a workshop for about 20 artists (representing different Talukas of the district) during 

26-28 April, 2000 at Vaccine Institute, Belgaum for developing the scripts as well as 

for the practicing the scripts in the form of street plays and folk songs. At the end of 

the workshop, a kalatanda troupe consisting of selected 15 artists was formed for 

staging the street plays and folk songs in the selected villages of the district In the 

second stage, the ZSS had organised the Kalajatha in a total of forty villages covering 

four villages from each Talukas of the district. 

3. Co-ordination with the Health Department: The ZSS and the DHO's office together coordinated 

in almost all the activities under the scheme. The involvement was greater at 

the Taluka level and Village-level activities - as the TMOs and MOs along with various 

paramedical staff participated in the activities under the scheme. The contribution was in 

terms of resource persons, IEC materials, supply of ORS and contraceptives for 

demonstration purposes and transportation. 

4. Budget: Since, the evaluation was carried out after the completion of the project, the 

expenditure statement for the entire project period was available with the ZSS. 

Comparing the discussion with the ZSS Secretary as well as the Taluka Co-ordinators, 

the Quarterly reports of activities and expenditure submitted to MOHFW, the following 

points need further clarifications: 

106 

a. According to the expenditure statement submitted by Belgaum ZSS to MOHFW, 

New Delhi, an expenditure of Rs. 4125 was shown between January and March, 

2001 under the item One day orientation training for key trainers at District 

level. However, no such orientation training programmes during this period was 

reported to the evaluation team by the Secretary and the total expenditure 

reported for this activity is only Rs.17,475. 

b. Similarly, the expenditure under the item miscellaneous was almost doubled 

between January and March 2001. The expenditure under this item is also 

more than sanctioned for the scheme. Printing of educational materials is the 

only activity reported to the evaluation team during this period. 





seen/participated, as reported by the respondents are: posters/ hoarding/handbill – 63 

percent; advertisement on television – 38 percent; street plays – 29 percent; folksongs – 

24 percent; Orientation/training – 22 percent and Jatha – 39 percent. Among these 

specific activities seen/participated by the respondents, the three activities – 

orientation/training, street plays and folksongs – are the most important ones aimed at 

the direct participation of the community members. 


members of community who are not opinion leaders, and of course by the respondents 

from villages where the ZSS has not organized these programmes. On the other hand, 


persons who have studied beyond middle school, married persons, and opinion leaders. 





Recommendations 

Although the IEC activity through ZSS in Karnataka has made a definite impact, the 

following points need to be considered for improving the scheme in future. 

The process of examining and sanctioning of the project proposals should be decentralized. 

Suitable agency, such as the State Resource Centre (SRC) at Mysore, at the state level should 

be involved in the processing the project proposals from the ZSSs. 

It is evident that many of the ZSS Secretaries were not able or not confident in preparing the 

proposal that was asked by the MOHFW, New Delhi. Hence, a orientation workshop with the 

ZSSs regarding the method and content of RCH-IEC activities that are desired under the 

scheme. Involvement of SRC in this regard too may be considered. 

It is important to have similar type of activities in all the districts for the effective organization 

and implementation of the scheme. 

While selecting the villages for IEC activities care should be taken to avoid villages where 

similar types of activity was already carried out. 

For achieving better impact, it is suggested to organize different type of activities such as 

Kalajatha, health camps, training programs, counseling, exhibitions etc. in the selected village 

continuously for three or four days, instead of carrying out the kalajatha activity in a village 

just for two or three hours. 

107 


Similarly, the activities should be continued and should be carried out more frequently in 

order to help the villagers remember the messages. 

It is found that various Taluka level officials are only the nominal heads, their participation in 

various IEC activities should be improved for the effective organization of the scheme. 

It is recommended to have a continuous monitoring of the implementation of the scheme by 

an agency. The involvement of SRC in this regard too may be considered. 

108 


109 

APPENDIX A 

TABLES 


110 


Table 1: Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Davanagere ZSS 

Activity Proposed/Sanctioned Status Date Place Resource persons Participants Specific activity 

Two-day ZSS Level workshop for 

25-30 participants 

Seven Taluka Level Workshops for 

25-30 participants 

Were combined with 

the ZSS Executive 

Committee Meeting 

14/7/00 Davanagere DHO, Davanagere and 

Gaynecologist, Local 

medical college 

30 EC 

members and 

30 Taluka 

officials 

Lecture on 

Anaemia and AIDS 

Two-day workshop on posters Not conducted 

Two-day workshop on folksongs Three workshops 29-31/1/00 Chitradurga DHO, Chitradurga; two NA 12 folksongs,, 4 

were held together 

Health Educators from 

streetplays and 1 

for the development 

State Resource Centre, 

Rupaka on RCH 

of folksongs and 

Mysore; prominent script 

messages were 

street plays 

writers of both 

Davanagere and 

Chitradurga districts 

developed 

Five-day workshop for street plays 

14-16/2/00 Thirtharam- Two resource persons 31 (7 play Direction of the 

eshwara, from State Resource directors and 7 play and music for 

Davanagere Centre, Mysore 

folk singers) folksongs finalized 

27-28/3/00 Kondajji, DHO, Davanagere and 105 (84 7 Troupes were 

Davanagere other 6 persons who members of trained in staging 

attended the earlier troupes) street plays and 

workshop of play 

direction and folk music 

folksongs 

100 performances of street play Combined as one April- 257 villages Trained troupes Local leaders, Street plays and 

100 performances of folksongs activity; same troupe June/2000 and 69 urban 

Panchayat folksongs 

performed both 

localities 

members, local 

health 

personnel, and 

the public 

Posters Not done 

Wall-writings Not done

Table 1 (Contd): Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Davanagere ZSS 

Activity Proposed/Sanctioned Status Date Place Resource persons Participants Specific 

activity 

100 Seminars/Workshops at Planned 42 and June- Various Local Medical PRI 

Lectures on 

Taluka/Panchayat/Village levels conducted 33 August/ Taluka and Officers and representatives, RCH issues 

2000 Hobli CDPOs 

literacy volunteers, 

places 

women leaders, 

NGOs, and neoliterates 

Five District-level workshops 

for PRI representatives, NGOs, 

women leaders, Journalists and 

literacy workers 

Not conducted 

Orientation workshop 

Conducted 25/8/00 Davanager DHO, local 60 Neo-literates Lectures on 

exclusively for neo-literates 

e 

doctors, and 

Anaemia, 

faculty from State 

Home 

Resource Centre, 

Mysore 

Remedies. 

2 


Table 2: Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Chitradurga ZSS 


Seven Taluka Level Workshops 

for 25-30 participants 

Two-day workshop on 

folksongs 

Six-day workshop for street 

plays and folk songs 

100 performances of street play 

100 performances of folksongs 

3 

5 organised April and 

August, 

2000 

3 workshops 

were held 

together for the 

development of 

folksongs and 

street plays 

Combined as one 

activity; same 

troupe performed 

both 

Two-day ZSS Level workshop 

for 25-30 participants 

Not conducted 

Two-day workshop on posters Not conducted 

Various 

Taluka Head 

Quarters 

DHEO, THO’s, MO’s 

from General Hospital 

and One member from 

ZSS, Chitradurga 

28-30/12/99 Chitradurga DHO, Chitradurga; two 

Health Educators from 

State Resource Centre, 

Mysore; prominent script 

writers of both 

Davanagere and 

14-16/2/00 Thirtharameshwara, 

Davanagere 

3 days in 

March, 2000 

March- 

July/2000 

Chitradurga districts 

Two resource persons 

from State Resource 

Centre, Mysore 

Taluka level THO’s, State Resource 

person, District Director, 

One member from ZSS 

351 villages 

were 

covered 

Taluka 

Officials, 

Journalists, PRI 

representatives 

GP Secretaries 

34 (District and 

Taluka level 

directors of 

both districts) 

31 (7 play 

directors and 7 

folk singers) 

90 (in each 

Taluka 15 

artists were 

trained ) 

Trained troupes Local leaders, 

Panchayat 

members, local 

health 

personnel and 

the public 

Lecture on 

various RCH 

issues 

12 folksongs, 4 

streetplays and 1 

Rupaka on RCH 

messages were 

developed 

Direction of the 

play and music 

for folksongs 

finalized 

6 Troupes were 

trained in 

staging street 

plays and 

folksongs 

Street plays and 

folksongs 

covering various 

RCH issues 


Table 2 (Contd): Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Chitradurga ZSS 


10,000 Posters 

6,000 posters were June, 2000 Chitradurga ZSS Secretary, District General Public About 1400 

printed (1500 

Co-ordinator, ZSS and 

posters were 

posters of 4 

DHEO 

distributed for 

different types) 

display in 

various GP’s 

4,000 brochures June, 2000 Chitradurga ZSS Secretary, District Distributed to Used in various 

were printed 

Co-ordinator, ZSS and participants of orientation 

DHEO 

various 

orientation 

programmes 

programmes 

500 Wall writings In progress September, Taluka’s ZSS Secretary, District General Public Slogans on RCH 

2000 and GP’s Co-ordinator, ZSS and 

were written in 

DHEO 

10 to 20 GP’s of 

3 Talukas 

240 Seminars/Workshops at 47 organised June- Various Local Medical Officers PRI 

Lectures on 

Taluka/Panchayat/Village levels 

September, Taluka and and CDPOs 

representatives, RCH issues 

2000 Hobli places 

literacy 

volunteers, 

women leaders, 

NGOs, neoliterates, 

Anganwadi 

workers and 

school teacher s 

Five District-level workshops Changed to Taluka May- Taluka head Medical Officer and PRI 

Lectures on 

for PRI representatives, NGOs, level workshops September, quarters Lecturer in District representatives RCH issues 

women leaders, Journalists and exclusively for 2000 

Nursing School 


elected 

represetatives and 

3 were orgnised 

4 


Table 3: Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Tumkur ZSS 


Inaugural function Conducted along 11-1-2000 Empress Additional Director, 60 

Lecture on role of 

with another 

women RCH, Bangalore 

ZSS in promoting 

training 

college, 

RCH activities 

programme 

Tumkur 

Workshops for Kalajatha artists Organised only 21-26, Chikanahalli 

25 ( including 

at district and Taluka level at district level March, 2000 Sira taluka 

18 artists) 

Finalising the 

scripts for one 

street play, two 

folk dances,one 

rupaka and a 

gigipada and 

practising the 

scripts for Kala 

Director, Neenasam Art 

school, a TV serial 

artist and ZSS 

secretary, Mysore 

Jatha 

Street plays and 

folk songs on 

RCH issues 

Lectures on RCH 

issues based on 

the hand book 

Arogyadangala 

Lectures on using 

new blade for 

shaving, AIDS 

and STI 



the brochre 

‘Moggarali 

Huvagi’ 

A trained troupe Public, leaders, 

health department 

233 villages 

were 

covered 

In all the 

talukas of 

the district 

Kalajatha performances Conducted April-June, 

2000 

staff 

About 507 males 

and 477 females 

from 10 talukas 

of the district 

270 men parlour 

workers were 

given training 

Respective THOs, 

DHEO, 

Dy.DHEO and DNO 

Jan-March 

2000 

Conducted 

One day orientation programme 

on sex education for 50 youths 

at Taluka level 

Respective Taluka Coordinator 

In taluka 

head 

quarters 

7 and 14 

November, 

2000 

Conducted 

One day orientation programme 

for 25 men parlour workers at 

Taluka level 

About 40,000 

girls from 500 

high schools and 

Jr. colleges of the 

district 

Female teachers of the 

high schools/primary 

schools, anganawadi 

teachers, ANMS and 

unemployed graduates 

In taluka 

head 

quarters 

August, 

2000 

Conducted in all 

the Talukas of the 

district 

One day orientation training 

programme for 50 adolescent 

girls at Taluka level 

EVALUATION OF RCH-IEC THROUGH ZSS IN KARNATAKA 

5

Table 3 (Contd): Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Tumkur ZSS 


OTCs for Neo-literates Not conducted 

Convention of Eligible couples Not conducted 

at Panchayat level 

Wall Writings Conducted in the 

villages where the 

Kalajathas were 

organised 

Competitions and prizes Conducted only in 

3 Talukas of the 

district 

6 

April-June 

2000 

In the 

villages of 

Kalajatha 

Nov, 2000 Taluka head 

quarter 

24 slogans were 

developed by the ZSS 

with the help of 

materials available with 

the health department 

No resource persons. Girl students of 

High school/ 

collages 

Public Writing slogans 

on RCH issues 

on the walls of 

the school bdg, 

GP,anganwadi 

and bus stop 

Topics on RCH 

were given for 

competition and 

those who stood 

first three ranks 

were given 

prizes 


7 


Table 4: Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Kolar ZSS 


204 Young Mothers Jathas Not conducted 

500 Awareness Camps for 85 organised Nov-Dec, High schools/ MOs of the PHCs, Boys and girls of Lectures on 

Adolescent Girls 

2000 Colleges BHEs, LHVs, Sr. high schools and adolescents’ 

Health Inspectors colleges problems and 

solutions 

114 Awareness Camps for 1 organised August , DHO, Kolar District AIDS Officer Taluka Health Lectures on AIDs 

Health Assistants 

2000 

and DHEO 

Officers, MOs, 

BHEs, LHVs, 

and Sr. HIs. 

and RCH issues 

300 Awareness Camps for 3 camps Jan. 2000 Chikkaballapur DHO, DHEO, RCH Literacy workers Lectures on RCH 

Literacy Workers 

organised for 

, Chintamani, Officer, and Taluka 



and Kolar Health Officers 

source book of 

SRC, Mysore 

21 Awareness Camps for NGO 

Members 

22 Awareness Camps for GP 

Members 

8 

199 camps in 

Manavikas 

Kendras 

Aug-Dec, 

2000 

Selected 

villages 

MOs, BHEs, LHVs, 

and Sr.HIs. 

Neo-literates, 

semi-literates, GP 

members, and the 

public 

Not organised separately, combined with Awareness Camp for Taluka-level Department Heads 



source book of 

SRC, Mysore 

Not organised separately, combined with camps in Manavikas Kedras and Awareness Camp for Taluka-level 

Department Heads 


Table 4 (Contd): Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Kolar ZSS 


22 Awareness Camps for 

Taluka Panchayat Members 

Not organised separately; combined with Awareness Camp for Taluka-level Department Heads 

2 Awareness Camps for Zilla Not organised separately; combined with Awareness Camp for Taluka-level Department Heads and for District- 

Panchayat Members 

level Department Heads 

11 Awareness Camps for 8 Organized August- Taluka TMOs TQ level heads , ZP Lectures on 

Taluka- level Heads of 

December, Head- 

members, TP RCH issues 

Departments 

2000 quarters 

members, GP 

Presidents/VP, nodal 

officers, GP 

secretaries 

2 Awareness Camps for District One organized December, Kolar DHO, RCH District level heads, Lectures on 

level Heads of Departments 

2000 

Officer and ZP members, TQ level population 

DHEO, Kolar officers, resource explosion, 

persons and 

gender equality, 

Journalists 

and safe 

motherhood 

3092 Tin Wall Stencilling 20 stencilling November, Villages 64 slogans were Public Messages on 

sheets, each 2000 

prepared by the 

RCH issues are 

containing 6-8 

ZSS using similar 

written on the 

RCH slogans are 

materials from 

walls of 

prepared, and 

other ZSS and 

Government 

distributed to TSS 

for wall-writings 

SRC, Mysore 

buildings 

15 Small Hoarding installations 12 prepared, and November, Taluka Selected slogans Public Small hoarding 

distributed to TSS 2000 head- prepared for wall 

carrying 

quarters stencilling were 

messages on 

used 

RCH issues are 

to be installed 

9 


Table 5: Summary of activities sanctioned and conducted under RCH-IEC scheme by Belgaum ZSS 

Activity Proposed/Sanctioned Status Date Place Resource Partici-pants Specific 

persons 

activity 

One-day orientation training for Organized in two 25/3/00 Belgaum NA Tahasildar/Executiv Lectures on 

key trainers at district level sessions – one each and 

e Officer, Block RCH 

for 5 talukas 16/6/00 

Education Officers, 

combined 

District Nursing and 

Health Education 

Officer, Talukalevel 

resource 

persons of Akshara 

Prabha 

One-day orientation training for In each Taluka, the During Various NA Navasaksharata Lectures on 

Navasaksharata leaders at training was 18/4/00 Taluka 

leaders 

RCH 

taluka level 

conducted in three to headquarters 

batches 

25/1/01 

Training of neo-literates In each Taluka, the 

training was 

organized in two 

GPs 

A Three-day workshop for folk 

media artists 

10 

Organized 

Kalajatha programmes Organized in 42 

villages – 4 

selected villages 

per Taluka, 2 

additional villages 

During 

30/5/00 

to 

30/1/01 

26/4/00 

to 

28/4/00 

6/10/00 

to 

25/10/00 

Various GP 

headquarters 

NA Neo-literates Lectures on 

RCH 

Belgaum NA Folk-media artists Participatory 

learning 

42 villages NA The village 

community 

members 

Street-play, 

folk song and 

folk dance 


Table 6: Summary of the item-wise expenditure by Davanagere ZSS under RCH-IEC Scheme 

Expenditure/Month 

Amount Feb/Mar April May June 

Activity 

sanctioned 2000 2000 2000 2000 

Orientation workshop for Officials/NGOs 12,000 - - 2,200 1,650 


40,000 14,600 - - - 

Street play 

100,000 - 23,23 68,088 3,600 

Folk songs 

50,000 - 2 29.462 4,180 

Posters 

25,000 - 11,08 - - 

Wall-writings 

10,000 - 8 - - 

Seminars/Workshops at Taluka/GP/Village 

- 

level 

50,000 31,020 - - 7,600 

Five District-level Workshops 

10,000 - 

- 5,000 

Orientation Workshops for Neo-literates 6,000 - - - - 

Miscellaneous programme expenses 

15,000 - - - - 

Administrative expenses 

31,800 7,225 - 

- 

11,17 

1 

9,195 2,851 

Total 349,800 52,845 45,49 108,94 24,88 

1 5 1 

11 

July 

2000 

4,250 

- 

3,112 

3,488 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

289 

11,13 

9 

August 

2000 

2,850 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

5,900 

- 

445 

Total 

10,950 

14,600 

98,032 

48,218 

- 

- 

38,620 

5,000 

5,900 

- 

31,176 

9,195 252,496 


Table 7: Summary of the item-wise expenditure by Chitradurga ZSS under RCH-IEC Scheme 

Activity 

Orientation workshop for Officials/NGOs 


Street play 

Folk songs 

Posters 


Seminars/Workshops at Taluka/GP/Village 

level 

Five District-level Workshops 

Miscellaneous programme expenses 


12 

Expenditure/Month 

Amount 

Sanctioned March1 April May 

2000 2000 2000 

12,000 - 4,285 - 

25,000 12,000 - - 

1,00,000 5,250 35,98 8,700 

50,000 2800 0 1,200 

50,000 - 17,39 - 

25,000 - 2 

- 

- 

1,20,000 31,077 - - 

9,000 - 

- 

23,000 8917 3,000 860 

46,000 - - 

11,42 

4 

- 

- 

Total 4,60,000 60,044 72,08 

1 

1 

Includes expenditure for the months of January and February, 2000 

June 

2000 

650 

- 

26,96 

0 

13,96 

0 

44,75 

0 

- 

650 

- 

- 

6,379 

10,760 93,34 

9 

July 

2000 

- 

- 

6,000 

1,400 

- 

24,90 

0 

31,25 

9 

- 

- 

- 

63,55 

9 

August 

2000 

1,000 

- 

7,601 

490 

- 

- 

30,600 

18,50 

- 

1,127 

September 

2000 

700 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

20,250 

5,100 

- 

1,050 

Total 

6,635 

12,000 

90,491 

37,242 

44,750 

24,900 

1,16,836 

6,950 

21,201 

8,556 

42,668 27,100 3,69,561 


Table 8: Summary of the item-wise expenditure by Tumkur ZSS under RCH-IEC Scheme 

Activity 

Inaugural function 

Workshop for Kalajatha artists at district level 

Honorarium for master trainers 

Workshop for Kalajatha artists at block level 

Orientation programme on sex education to youths 

Orientation programme for men parlour workers 

Orientation programme for adolescent girls 

Orientation programme for neo-literates 

Convention of eligible couples 


Competition and prizes 

Administrative cost 

Miscellaneous expenses 

Pulse polio campaign 

Orientation for literacy volunteers 

Kalajatha performances 1 

Printing of handbills 

13 

Cumulative expenditure for quarters 

ending in 

Amount 

Sanctioned Dece. June Sept. Nov. 

1999 2000 2000 2000 

4,500 - - - - 

12,000 - - - - 

9,000 - - - - 

72,000 - - - - 

25,000 - - - - 

12,500 - - - 15,000 

25,000 - - 50,000 50,000 

7,400 - - - - 

100,000 - - - - 

50,000 - - - - 

60,000 - - - - 

37,000 - 17,786 35,812 35,812 

18,800 - - - - 

- 

- 

- 

- 

45,000 

- 

- 

- 

48,500 

82,150 

138,000 

22,500 

48,500 

82,150 

138,000 

27,700 

48,500 

82,150 

138,000 

27,700 

Total 433,200 45,000 308,936 382,162 397,162 

1 The expenditure includes money spent on organizing district-level workshop for Kalajatha artists, organizing 

Kalajatha performances in selected villages (for which separate budget was not sanctioned), and expenditure 

incurred on wall-writings. 


Table 9: Summary of the item-wise expenditure by Kolar ZSS under RCH-IEC Scheme 

Activity 

1.Young Mother Jathas 

2. Awareness camps 

For adolescent girls 

For health assistants 

For literacy workers 

For NGO members 

For Gram Panchayat members 

For Taluka Panchayat members 

For Zilla Panchayat members 

For Taluka level heads 

For District level heads 

3. Tin wall Stencillng 

4. Small hoarding erection 

5. Administrative expenses 

6. Miscellanous expenses 

14 

Amount 

Sanctioned 

20,400 

100,000 

11,400 

60,000 

10,500 

11,000 

11,000 

2,000 

11,000 

2,000 

92,800 

30,000 

36,200 

18,000 

Monthly expenditure statement 

July 1 

August Sept 

2000 2000 2000 

- 

98,400 

- - 

- - - 

- - - 

- - - 

- - - 

- - - 

- - - 

- - - 

- - - 

- - - 

- - - 

- 18,000 12,000 

- - 2,400 

2,000 - - 

Oct. 

2000 

- 

27,100 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

29,200 

- 

- 

- 

Total 

- 

98,400 

27,100 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

29,200 

30,000 

2,400 

2,000 

Total 416,300 100,400 18,000 14,400 56,300 189,100 

1 Expenditure for the month of July includes the cumulative expenditure till July. Similarly, no item-wise expenditure was 

shown for various awareness camps organised. 


Table 10: Summary of the item-wise expenditure by Belgaum ZSS under RCH-IEC Scheme 

Cumulative expenditure for month ending in 

Amount April, June, Sept., January, 

Sanctioned 2000 2000 2000 2001 

Activity 

One day orientation training for key trainers at District 

level 

One day orientation training for key trainers at Taluka 

level (Neo-literate leaders) 

Training of neo-literates at GP/village level 

Printing of educational materials 

Folk media programmes on RCH 


Miscellaneous expenses 

15 

21,600 

199,500 

10,000 

50,000 

75,000 

40,000 

20,000 

9,550 

18,900 

- 

33,510 

8,589 

6,569 

3,070 

17,475 

37,800 

2,000 

33,510 

8,589 

14,069 

4,677 

17,475 

94,500 

5,000 

33,510 

8,589 

31,319 

7,834 

17,475 

199,500 

10,000 

33,510 

74,471 

39,569 

13,892 

March, 

2001 

21,600 

199,500 

10,000 

49,760 

74,471 

40,000 

25,944 

Total 

21,600 

199,500 

10,000 

49,760 

74,471 

40,000 

25,944 

Total 416,100 80,188 118,120 208,727 388,417 421,275 421,275 


Table 11: Percentage of respondents exposed to RCH-IEC activities by district 

RCH-IEC Activity 

Any IEC activity 

Street play 

Folksong 

Orientation 

Any of the RCH-IEC activity under the scheme 

Posters/hoarding/handbill 

Jatha 

Advertisement on television 

Other 

Number 

16 

District 

Davanagere Chitradurga Tumkur Kolar Belgaum 

84.4 

83.7 

89.8 

90.6 

85.0 

26.1 

22.8 

11.1 

37.2 

65.0 

28.0 

42.0 

2.0 

180 

32.0 

25.8 

10.7 

42.1 

68.0 

11.0 

38.0 

4.0 

178 

35.6 

29.9 

24.3 

52.5 

76.0 

47.0 

37.0 

0.0 

177 

-- 

-- 

30.4 

30.4 

74.0 

47.0 

35.0 

0.0 

191 

28.9 

23.9 

22.2 

42.8 

63.3 

38.9 

38.3 

2.2 

180 


Table 12: Percentage distribution of respondents exposed to RCH-IEC activities by background characteristics, Davanagere district 

Background characteristic Any IEC Exposed to RCH-IEC activity of ZSS Number 

activity Street play Folksong Orientation Any 

Sex 

Male 

89.8 

31.6 

24.5 9.2 

41.8 98 

Female 

78.1 

19.5 

20.7 13.4 

31.7 82 

Age 

Table 13: Percentage distribution of respondents exposed to RCH-IEC activities by background characteristics, Chitradurga district 



Sex 

Male 

89.0 

36.3 

26.4 6.6 

44.0 91 

Female 

78.2 

27.6 

25.3 14.9 

40.2 87 

Age 

Table 14: Percentage distribution of respondents exposed to RCH-IEC activities by background characteristics, Tumkur district 



Sex 

Male 

89.2 

39.8 

35.5 8.6 

45.2 93 

Female 

90.5 

31.0 

23.8 41.7 

60.7 84 

Age 

Table 15: Percentage distribution of respondents exposed to RCH-IEC activities by background characteristics, Kolar district 

Background characteristic Any IEC 

activity 

Sex 

Male 

90.0 

Female 

91.1 

Age 

Table 16: Percentage distribution of respondents exposed to RCH-IEC activities by background characteristics, Belgaum district 



Sex 

Male 

86.3 

31.3 

27.5 12.5 

42.5 80 

Female 

84.0 

22.0 

20.0 28.0 

43.0 100 

Age 

22 


APPENDIX B 

QUESTIONNAIRES

2 

Population Research Centre, JSS Institute of Economic Research 

Vidyagiri, Dharwad – 580 004 

Evaluation of RCH-IEC Activities Through 

Zilla Saksharata Samitis 

INTERVIEW GUIDELINES FOR ZSS FUNCTIONARIES AT 

DISTRICT/TALUKA/GRAM PANCHAYAT LEVELS 

Name: 

Designation: 

1. How did your district administration come to know about the project proposals to be 

submitted on RCH/IEC through ZSS? (DC and SZSS) 

2. How was the project proposal prepared? 

3. Who are the persons/ agencies consulted during the project proposal preparation? 

4. How much time was taken to prepare and finalize the proposal? 

5. When was the project proposal submitted? RECORD DATE 

6. When did you receive the sanctioning letter from MOHFW? RECORD DATE 

7. Was the proposal accepted by MOHFW in total or were there modification 

suggested? 

8. IF MODIFIED: What were the specific modifications done to the proposal? 

9. When did you receive the funds for the project? RECORD DATE 

10. When did you actually launch the project? RECORD DATE 


11. IF THE TIME GAP BETWEEN RECEIVING FUNDS AND LAUNCHING OF 

THE PROGRAM IS GREATER THAN 3 MONTHS, ASK FOR THE REASONS: 

ACTIVITIES 

Orientation workshops/awareness camps/seminars: 

12. Was there any orientation workshop/awareness camp conducted as a part of this 

project? 

13. IF NO RECORD REASONS: 

14. IF YES: How many? 

15. IF THE NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS/CAMPS REPORTED IS DIFFERENT 

FROM THE PROPOSED NUMBER, PROBE AND RECORD EXPLANATIONS 

16. FOR EACH WORKSHOP/CAMP RECORD: 

Date (From and To): 

Place (village/town): 

Target group (For whom was this orientation workshop/camp organized?): 

Level at which organized (District/Taluka/GP/Village): 

List of participants by name, affiliation and designation (OBTAIN FROM THE ZSS): 

Programmes (OBTAIN A COPY OF THE PROGRAM SHEET): 

Topics covered: 

Resource persons – Name, affiliation and designation: 

Was there any report prepared on this workshop/camp/seminar? IF YES, OBTAIN A 

COPY 

The total amount spent on the workshop/camp/seminar: 

3 


IEC Materials developed: 

17. Was any IEC material developed under this project? 

If No: Why? 

18. IF NO, RECORD REASONS 

19. IF YES: What are the different types of materials developed? (RECORD IN 

TERMS OF POSTERS, FOLK SONGS, STREET PLAYS, HOARDINGS, 

PAMPHLETS HANDBILL ETC.) 

20. FOR EACH TYPE OF MATERIAL, RECORD THE FOLLOWING: 

The method of development of the material (through workshop, contract): 

Resource persons involved in material development: 

Artists involved in material development: 

Topics covered: 

Time taken to develop the material: 

Target Group: 

Number produced: 

Number in stock: 

Number distributed: 

Method of distribution (channels of distribution): 

GP’s covered for the distribution: 

Whether the material reflects local culture, theme, medium, health problems, etc? 

IF YES: Examples of inclusion of such local culture, theme, medium, health problems, 

etc. 

Total cost for this activity: 

OBTAIN A SAMPLE OF THE MATERIAL DEVELOPED: 

3. Mass campaigns 

Under the project did the ZSS conduct any mass campaign? (eg., Jatha, hoardings, wallwritings, 

street play, folk songs, convention/public meetings/counseling, competitions, 

handbill distribution,) 

IF NO RECORD REASONS: 

IF YES: What are the different types of campaigns carried out? 

FOR EACH TYPE OF CAMPAIGH, RECORD THE FOLLOWING AS 

APPROPRIATE: 

Total number of times the campaign was organized: 

On which occasion/s? 

Date/s: 

Place/s (OBTAIN THE LIST OF PLACES): 

Who organized? (ZSS, TSS, VSS) 

Resource persons/artists? 

Target groups: 

Content/s: 

Coverage (number of persons reached) 

Total cost for this activity: 

4 


COMPARE THE ACTIVITIES REPORTED WITH THE ACTIVITIES PROPOSED. 

IF DIFFERENT, PROBE AND RECORD EXPLANATION. 

Budget 

OBTAIN A COPY OF THE STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE 

What is the budget sanctioned for this scheme? 

RECORD THE BREAKUP OF THE ITEMS FOR WHICH THE MONEY IS 

SANCTIONED 

Item Money sanctioned Money 

spent 

IF THE AMOUNT SPENT DIFFERS FROM THE AMOUNT SANCTIONED, 

PROBE AND RECORD EXPLANATION 

OBTAIN THE FULL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ACCOUNTS 

MAINTAINED BY ZSS AND CHECK FOR THE FOLLOWING: 

Whether quotations have been called? 

Yes for all occasions 

Yes for few occasions 

No 

Whether payments are supported by stamped receipts? 

Yes for all occasions 

Yes for few occasions 

No 

Whether the accounts have been audited? 

Involvement of DHO & IEC officers 

What was the involvement of DHO/other IEC officers in FW department/ other district 

health and family welfare officers in the planning and implementation of the project? 

PROBE FOR: 

The persons involved: Name, affiliation, designation 

In what capacity was he/she involved: 

At what stage (planning, implementation, review, training/orientation, monitoring) 

Problems of coordination, if any: 

Are you using any of the IEC materials that are used in the routine IEC activities of the 

DHO? 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

How is the scheme implementation monitored by the ZSS? 

Was there any evaluation study conducted by ZSS? 

RECORD DETAILS 

5 


What is the reporting mechanism of the programme from GP-TSS-ZSS? 

How many review meetings were conducted? 

At what levels? 

How often it is conducted? 

What is reviewed? 

When was the last meeting held? 

What is the follow-up action taken? 

What is your perception of the impact of the scheme? 

If you are asked to submit a new project proposal, which of the activities that you have 

already carried out will be included and which activities will be excluded? 

RECORD REASONS: 

Would you like to include some new items to this proposal? 

IF YES: Which activities will be included? 

How do you think the IEC activities that you are carrying out under the scheme is 

different from the regular IEC activities conducted by the Department of Family 

Welfare? 

In your opinion, the IEC activities proposed/conducted through the ZSS are more 

effective, less effective or of the same effectiveness compared to the regular IEC 

activities carried out by the Department of Family Welfare? 

RECORD REASONS 

What are the difficulties/bottlenecks that you experienced in implementing the project 

in the following aspects? 

Finance: 

Organization: 

Implementation: 

Coordination: 

Monitoring: 

What are your suggestions for overcoming these problems/for improving the scheme? 

6 


QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE FUNCTIONARIES 

Name: 

Designation: 

Were you/your Department involved in the preparation of the project plan by the ZSS? 

[DHO and DMO] 

IF YES: In what way did you/your Department contribute to the preparation of the 

project plan? 

Did you/anyone from your Department participate in any of the activities carried out by 

the ZSS under the scheme? 

IF YES: What are the different activities that you/personnel from your Department were 

involved in? 

Training/Orientation? 

Material Development? 

Mass campaign? 

Any other activities? 

Did you supply the ZSS (for use in the scheme) any of the IEC materials generally used 

by your Department? 

In your opinion, what was the need for involving ZSS in the RCH IEC efforts? 

What is your perception of the impact of the scheme? 

In what way, according to you, the IEC activities that are being carried out by ZSS 

under the scheme is different from the regular IEC activities conducted by your 

Department? 

In your opinion, the IEC activities proposed/conducted through the ZSS are more 

effective, less effective or of the same effectiveness compared to the regular IEC 

activities carried out by your Department? 

RECORD REASONS 

Do you think that the ZSS should continue to be involved in this way in the RCH-IEC 

activities? 

RECORD REASONS: 

What are the IEC needs of the District that are satisfied through this scheme of the ZSS? 

What are the other activities that you suggest should be included by the ZSS if they are 

asked to prepare a fresh proposal? 

7 


Population Research Centre, JSS Institute of Economic Research 

Vidyagiri, Dharwad – 580 004 

Evaluation of RCH-IEC Activities Through 

Zilla Saksharata Samitis in Karnataka 

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS 

AND OPINIOIN LEADERS 

Identification Particulars 

1. District: 

2. Taluka: 

3. Gram Panchayat: 

4. Village: 

5. Nature of the respondent: 

Opinion Leader 

Community member ⇐ 7 

6. Type of leadership: 

7. Name and address of the respondent: 

8. Date of interview: 

9. Name of interviewer: 

Background Characteristics 

10. Sex of the respondent: 

Male 

Female 

11. How old were you at your last birth day? (RECORD AGE IN COMPLETED 

YEARS): 

12. What is your current marital status? 

1. Currently married 

2. Separated 

3. Widowed 

4. Divorced 

5. Never married 

13. Have you ever attended any literacy classes? 

Yes 

No 

8 


14. Can you read and write? 

1. Yes 

2. No 

15.What is the highest grade you have completed? (RECORD GRADE) 

16. To which religion do you belong? 

1. Hindu 

2. Muslim 

3. Christian 

4. Jain 

5. Other 

17. To which caste do you belong? (RECORD NAME OF THE CASTE) 

Exposure to/ Participation in IEC activities 

18. During the last one year, did you see/ participate in any kind of activity where 

people were given information on health and family welfare? 

1.Yes 

2. No ⇐20 

19. What are the different activities did you see/participate? (RECORD ALL 

ACTIVITIES MENTIONED) 

20. During the last one year, did you attend any orientation 

workshop/seminar/awareness camp on health and family welfare aspects? 

1. Yes 

2. No ⇐31 

21. How many such workshops/seminars/camps did you attend during the last one 

year? 

22. [Now I would like to ask some more details about the workshop/seminar/camp that 

you last attended.] Who had organized this orientation workshop/seminar/awareness 

camp? 

23. Who had asked you to participate in this workshop/seminar/camp? 

24. Where was this workshop/seminar/camp organized? 

9 


25. How many days in advance did you come to know about this programme? 

26. What was the duration of this workshop/seminar/camp? 

Through which method was this orientation/training given? RECORD ALL MODES 

Lecture 

Question-answer 

Demonstration 

Exhibition 

Posters/pamphlets 

Other 

Who were the resource persons in this workshop/seminar/camp? 

What were the different topics covered in this workshop/seminar/camp? 

In your opinion, what is the most important message that you have received during this 

workshop/seminar/camp? 

During the last one year, did you see any street play carrying messages on health and 

family welfare aspects? 

Yes 

No⇐ 43 

HOW MANY SUCH STREET PLAYS DID YOU SEE DURING THE LAST 

ONE YEAR? 

[Now I would like to ask you some more details about the street play that you saw the 

last time]. Where was this street play organized? 

Who had organized this street play? 

On what occasion was this street play organized? 

For how long was this street play staged? 

Was there any publicity about the street play before it was staged? 

What was the name/s of the street play that you saw last? 

10 


What are the different themes covered by each of the street plays? RECORD THE 

THEME BY TITLE 

How do you rate the street play? Do you think the street play was satisfactory or not 

satisfactory? 

What is the most important message that you received from this street play? 

42. What suggestions would you give to make these street plays more effective? 

During the last one year, did you listen to any folk song carrying messages on health 

and family welfare aspects? 

Yes 

No⇐53 

Is this folk song performed separately? 

Yes 

No 

How many times, during the last one year, did you listen to these folksongs? 

Through what medium did you listen to these folk songs? 

Stage performance 

Street performance 

Radio 

Television 

Cassette 

Printed material 

Any other (Specify) 

Who had organized these folk songs? 

Where was this organized? 

On which occasion was folk songs programme organized? 

What was the duration of this folk songs programme? 

What are the different topics covered by these folk songs? 

11 


What is the most important message that you received through these folk songs? 

During the last one year, did you see (show some poster/hand bills) any posters/wall 

writings/hand bills/hoarding carrying messages on health and family welfare aspects? 

1. Yes 

2. No⇐59 

Which one did you see, posters, handbills or wall-writings? RECORD ALL 

Posters 


Handbills 

Hoardings 

Others (Specify) 

How many such items in total did you see during the last one year? 

Where did you see them? 

What are the different topics that were covered by these posters/handbills/wall-writings? 

What is the most important message that you received from these posters/handbills/wallwritings? 

During the last one year, did you see any advertisement on TV carrying messages 

on health and family welfare aspects? 

1. Yes 

2. No⇐63 

How many advertisements did you see on TV? 

61. On what topic/s was the advertisement? 

What is the most important message that you received from this advertisement? 

During the last one year, did you see/participate in any jatha/rallies 

displaying/carrying messages on health and family welfare aspects? 

1. Yes 

2. No⇐71 

How many such jathas/rallies did you see/participate? 

12 


[Now I would like to ask you some more details on the jatha/rally that you attended the 

last time.] Who had organized this jatha/rally? 

Where was this programme organized? 

On what occasion was this programme organized? 

Who else had participated in this programme? 

What was/were the theme/s covered by this jatha/rally? 

What is the most important message that you received from this jatha/rally? 

71. During the last one year, did you participate in any essay competition/debate in 

your area on health and family welfare issues? 

1. Yes 

2. No⇐78 

72. How many such competitions did you participate during the last one year? 

Who had organized this competition? 

Where was this organized? 

Who were the participants in this competition? 

On what topic/s the competition was organized? 

What is the most important message that you received through this competition? 

CHECK QUESTION 18 AND MARK: 

Has seen/participated in any IEC activity 

Has not seen/participated in any IEC activity ⇐80 

Did you share the knowledge that you received through these programmes with any 

other person? 

Yes 

No 

13 


Knowledge on health and family welfare issues 

80 What is the legal minimum age at marriage for the 

girls in India? 

81 What is the legal minimum age at marriage for the 

boys in India? 

82 Till what age should a child be breast-fed? 

83 How soon after childbirth should the child be put to 

breast, for the first time? 

84 In you opinion, should the first breast milk be given 

to the child or should it be discarded? 

85 What should one do if a child suffers from diarrhoea? 

RECORD ALL MENTIONED 

86 When a child has diarrhoea, should he/she be given 

less to drink than usual, about the same amount, or 

more than usual? 

87 When a child is sick with diarrhoea, what signs of 

illness would tell you that he or she should be taken 

to a health facility or health worker? 

88 What is the vaccination given to children against 

tuberculosis? 

89 At what age should the child be given BCG 

vaccination? 

RECORD ‘7’ FOR ‘7 AND ABOVE’ 

14 

AGE IN YEARS………………………………………………………. 

DK…………………………………………………………………………..…….98 

AGE IN YEARS………………………………………………………. 

DK…………………………………………………………………………..…….98 

AGE IN MONTHS………………………………………………………. 

DK…………………………………………………………………………..…….98 

IMMEDIATELY……………………………………………………….……00 

HOURS…………………………………………………………….…….1 

DAYS……………………………………………………………..………2 

DK…………………………………………………………………………..…….98 

SHOULD BE GIVEN……………………………………….……….1 

SHOULD BE DISCARDED………………………………..….2 

TAKE TO DOCTOR………………………………………………..……A 

GIVE ORS……………………………………………………………..………B 

GIVE MORE LIQUIDS………………………………………….……C 

GIVE MEDICINES………………………………………………..….D 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK………………………………………………………………………………..……X 

LESS TO DRINK……………………………………………………...1 

ABOUT SAME AMOUNT TO DRINK…………………...2 

MORE TO DRINK………………………………………………..…..3 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…..8 

REPEATED WATERY STOOLS………………………..…..A 

ANY WATERY STOOLS………………………………………....B 

REPEATED VOMITING…………………………………………..…C 

ANY VOTMITTING……………………………………………..…..D 

BLOOD IN STOOLS……………………………………………..….E 

FEVER…………………………………………………………………………..…F 

MARKED THIRST……………………………………………………...G 

NOT EATING/NOT DRINKING WELL……………..…H 

GETTING SICKER/VERY SICK……………………..……I 

NOT GETTING BETTER……………………………………....J 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…….X 

BCG………………………………………..…………………………………...1 

OTHER…………………………………………………..…………………...2 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…..8 

AGE IN MONTHS………………………………………………...…… 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…..8 


NO. QUESTIONS CODING CATEGORIES 


diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus? 

91 In total, how many doses of DPT should be given? 

RECORD ‘8’ FOR ‘DON’T KNOW’ 


polio? 

93 In total, how many doses of polio vaccine should be 

given? RECORD ‘8’ FOR ‘DON’T KNOW’ 

94 At what age should the child be given measles 

vaccination? 

95 At what month of pregnancy should a pregnant mother 

receive her first antenatal checkup? 


96 What is the minimum number of antenatal check ups 

that are recommended for a pregnant woman? 


97 How many doses of tetanus toxoid injections are 

recommended during pregnancy? 

98 What are the important tests that a woman should 

undergo during pregnancy? 


99 What type of pregnancy is considered as risk 

pregnancy? 


15 

DPT………………………………………..…………………………………...1 

OTHER…………………………………………………..…………………...2 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…..8 

NUMBER OF DPT DOSES……………………………..…….. 

POLIO…………………………………..…………………………………...1 

OTHER…………………………………………………..…………………...2 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…..8 

NUMBER OF POLIO DOSES……………………………..…….. 

AGE IN MONTHS………………………………………………. 

DK…………………………………………………………………………..…….98 

MONTHS……………………………………………………..……………….. 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…..8 

NUMBER OF ANC CHECKUPS……………………..…….. 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…..8 

NUMBER OF TT INJECTIONS…………………..…….. 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..…..8 

HEIGHT……………………………………………………………………….………A 

WEIGHT……………………………………………………………………..…….B 

ABDOMINAL CHECKUP…………………………………………..….C 

INTERNAL EXAMINATION……………………………………...D 

BLOOD TEST……………………………………………………………..….E 

URINE TEST…………………………………………………………..…..F 

BLOOD PRESSURE TEST…………………………………..…..G 

X-RAY………………………………………………………………………..…..H 

SONOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………..…..I 

AMNIOSYNTESIS…………………………………………………..…..J 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK……………………………………………………………………………..……….X 

FIRST PREGNANCY……………………………………………………..A 

SHORT STATURED MOTHER……………………………….………B 

PREGNANCY UNDER 20……………………………………..…….C 

PREGNANCY AFTER 30………………………………………..….D 

THIRD OR HIGHER ORDER BIRTHS………………...E 

PREVIOUS INTERVAL TOO SHORT………………..….F 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK………………………………………………………………………………..…….X 



100 What are the health problems that some women may 

experience during pregnancy, which are dangerous to 

the health and life of the mother as well as the 

child? 

101 What are the different precautions that need to be 

taken during delivery? 

102 What are the five important ‘cleanliness measures’ 

that one should follow during delivery? 

103 What are the family planning methods that the couple 

can use if they want to space births? 

104 Have you heard of an illness called AIDS? 

105 How is AIDS transmitted? 

16 

SWELLING OF HANDS AND FEET………………….………A 

PALENESS……………………..……………………………………..…….B 

WEAKNESS OR TIREDNESS………………………………..….C 

DIZZINESS……………………………………………..………………...D 

VIUSAL DISTURBANCES…………………………..……..….E 

BLEEDING………………………………………………………………..…….F 

CONVULSIONS………………………………………………………..…..G 

WEAK OR NO MOVEMENT OF FOETUS…………..……H 

ABNORMAL PRESENTATION………………………………....I 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK………………………………………………………………………………..…….X 

USE OF DDK……………………..………………………………………..A 

HOSPITAL DELIVERY………………………………………………..B 

DELIVERY BY TRAINED PERSON………………………..C 

DELIVERY IN A CLEAN PLACE.…………………....D 

USE OF STERILE BLADES……………………………………..E 

USE OF STERILE THREAD………………………………....F 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK…………………………………………………………………………………....X 

CLEAN PLACE……………………..……………………………………..A 

CLEAN HANDS.………………..………………………………………..B 

CLEAN THREAD…………………………………..……………………..C 

CLEAN BLADE……..………………………..…………………....D 

CLEAN UMBELICAL CORD.……………………………………..E 

DK…………………………………………………………………………………....X 

IUD/LOOP/COPPER-T………………………………………………..A 

ORAL PILL……………………………………………………………………..B 

CONDOM……………………………………………………………………………..C 

RHYTHM/PERIODIC ABSTINENCE…………………....D 

WITHDRAWAL…………………………………………………………………..E 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK…………………………………………………………………………………....X 

YES…………………………………………………………………………………………1 

NO……………………………………………………………………………………...2 

SEXUAL INTERCOURSE…………………………………………...A 

HOMOSEXUAL INTERCOURSE……………………………....B 

HETEROSEXUAL INTERCOURSE………………………….….C 

NEEDLES/BLADES/SKIN PUNCTURE……………..….D 

MOTHER TO CHILD………………………………………………....E 

TRANSFUSION OF INFECTED BLOOD…………..….F 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK…………………………………………………………………………………....X 



106 Is it possible for a woman who has the AIDS virus to 

give birth to a child with AIDS virus? 

107 Do you think that one can get AIDS from: 

Shaking hands with someone who has AIDS? 

Hugging someone who has AIDS? 

Kissing someone who has AIDS? 

Wearing the clothes of someone who has AIDS? 

Sharing eating utensils with someone who has AIDS? 

Stepping on the urine or stool of someone with AIDS? 

Mosquito, flea or bedbug bites? 

17 

YES…………………………………………………………………………………...1 

NO……………………………………………………………………………………..…2 

DK………………………………………………………………………………………..8 

YES NO DK 

HAND SHAKING………………………………………..1 2 8 

HUGGING……………..…………………………………..1 2 8 

KISSING……….…………………………………………..1 2 8 

SHARING CLOTHES………………………………..1 2 8 

SHARING EATING UTENSILS…………..1 2 8 

STEPPING ON URINE/STOOL…………….1 2 8 

MOSQUITO/FLEA/BEDBUG BITES…….1 2 8 

108 How do you think one can avoid AIDS? USING CONDOMS DURING EACH 

SEXUAL INTERCOURSE…………………………………………….A 

SAFE SEX……………………………………………………………………..…B 

CHECKING BLOOD PRIOR TO 

TRANSFUSION………………………………………………………....C 

STERILIZING NEEDLES AND 

SYRINGES FOR INJECTION…………………………….….D 

AVOIDING PREGNANCY WHEN 

HAVING AIDS VIRUS………………………………………..….E 

OTHER K 

(SPECIFY) 

DK…………………………………………………………………………………....X 


APPENDIX C 

List of persons involved in the evaluation 

Principal Investigators 

Dr. B.M. Ramesh 

Dr. S. Rajaram 

Mr. R.V. Deshpande 

Field Investigators 

Mr. G.C. Jadar 

Mr. A.S. Kulkarni 

Mrs. A.S. Joshi 

Mrs. H.W. Hombal 

Mr. K.E.T. Rajarama 

Mrs. M.N. Korkoppa 

Mr. V. B. Joshi 

18 


19

Zilla Saksharata Samitis in Karnataka QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ... - PRC

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