1. Meeting the Goal of Universal Effective School Education with a simple policy change in India A Presentation by Pankaj Jain of Gyan Shala pjain2002@yahoo.compjain2002@yahoo.com, www.gyanshala.orgwww.gyanshala.org

2. Unacceptable Features of Current Policy ~ 100% enrolment but <50% go beyond grade 5 A majority of grade 5-6 have literacy and numeracy skills of grade 2, meaning functional illiteracy/ innumeracy. High Social Disparities in outcomes. The cost of Govt. School system is so high that it will take an education budget of more than 22% of GDP to cover all children in grade 1-10, if teachers are paid salaries as per 6 th Pay Commission. SOLUTION: Policy to ensure Higher Av. Quality, at lower cost, & reduced social disparities in educational outcomes.

3. Failure of 20 Yrs. of Reform of Govt. Schools Contrary to popular opinion, Govt. has made numerous attempts to improve Govt. Schools, so these now represent world’s best provisions, except in the quality of physical infrastructure: – Highest level of teacher incentive (>7 times per capita income, against 1.2-2 times in most other countries.) – High allocation to primary school education (3.7% of GDP, against worldwide norm of 2.5-3.5% of GDP) – Highest teacher qualification norm (Graduate + B.Ed.) – Highest ongoing teacher training provision of 20 days/yr. – Most elaborate teacher support system (DIET/BRC/CRC) – Free availability of text books, frequently revised by SCERTs. – School access to >90% within walking distance of 1-2 Km.

4. Higher Av. Quality at lower cost, & reduced social disparities in educational outcomes require Innovative Solutions Do not disturb the existing system directly & much. Create space for innovative solution by allocating only 10-15% of SSA budget to support “new schemes to improve quality at low cost with lower social disparities in educational outcomes, with budget linked to testing by independent agencies appointed by Govt., ensuring conformity to national curriculum, through PPP mode. Permit para-teachers as in public health policy. Many NGOs, and low cost (Rs. 300/- pm fee) private schools are exemplars of feasibility of desired outcome, with >100% better learning outcomes@ 1/5 th cost.