Year 2014 Socio Educational Overview and Government Initiatives

26 Dec 2014 (All India Radio - Current Affairs)

Participants: Prof Sushila Ramasamy, Delhi University, Harsh Naryanan Roy, Institute of Social Sciences and Arun Anand, Senior Journalist

Slew of measures taken by Government - Beti Bachao Beti padhao, Skill  India, Swachch Bharat, Mission Indradhanush, PM Jan Dhan Yojana. What is the impact on the Society? How important is the social attitude and Community participation?

For the government initiative to be successful – social acceptance (Reach, Opinion, People’s willingness to go along with) - particularly in the democratic system – response between People & Government (two way process) – last 6 month – attempts to revamp many social sector programme – Building Trust among the people – making India to become hub for attracting talents – make it more productive economy – core issues along with Governance;

Gender Bias – common in Indian society – renewed focus with betti bachao betti padhao yojana – bridging the gender gap – any short changes are happening? Or how long it will take for actual impact?

Rural/ Slum – neglect of girl child; E.g. Schools – large scale dropout of girl child – due to lack of toilet facility – basic flaws in the system; access to education, not about quality education, even basic education is neglected; series of programme complement the effort of Government – bring them in to mainstream growth – to achieve inclusive society;

Having access to Education – but key obstacle is absence of or looks unimportant Toilet - Great focus on building toilets in schools esp. for girl children - last 6-7 months – ironically in 21^st century, still we are struggling with these tasks? How importantly it going to impact?

Access to toilet is just one part of it– other thing is to change the mindset-  by and large patriarchal society – whether the girl child should be given education – itself a debate still going on in the society – more incentive is necessary – last 15 years (since Liberalization) – change in thinking, change in society, change in lifestyle – opening up of Informal sector, service expansion – girls started to take up jobs; importance of education become significant to many people – at least majority in Urban area realize – good education – passport to good career and good life; Role of Govt. – in stepping up these acceleration – kind to proactive role; part of swachchata Abhyan – of course focus on the toilet, other E.g. Nitish kuar Govt provide Bicycle to girls in Bihar, MDM scheme by MGR in Tamil Nadu – all these encourage them, and ensure their stay in the school;

Other major initiative is PMJDY- Financial Inclusion is other key challenge – out of around 25 Crore house hold, only 10 Crore house hold has Access to Bank Account – remaining 15 Crore House hold are out of the financial sector of the Economy – Current govt. provide Insurance along with PMJDY – how important is the concept of financial inclusion in the Socio Economic Perspective?

Urban population – has easy access to Bank & Financial facility; whereas large part of Rural & Tribal area lack the access to such facilities; Global experience also tells that  - Opening an Account  and linking that with many government programmes;  for instance: Brazil’s Bolsa Familia (Zero Hunger Project) – Women Centric programme – will be beneficiary only if the child sent to school, only when the child undertake primary health care – it become successful project; Major programmes of India like NREGA need to be linked with Banks – Complication in this process – should be taken care off – fruit of the initiative should reach the intended beneficiary;

Empowers the Individual – Person with Bank Account – Brings Individual Pride – change life & financial situation – in the modern society – it need to take place in India.

PMJDY – women Account in every family – real empowerment of women can happen?

Sense of freedom/space - Prevent male/men interference - Create equitable society to some extend – very small step in that direction; Growth Oriented India – it is not just in Economic Indices, but also Social Indices; Individual control over his life – Education, Finance, Health…

When talk about Empowerment – Skill Development is the Key element –‘Skill India Mission’ – Skill development in Rural Area & Semi-Urban Area – Target of reaching all the 6Lakh 24 thousand Villages – Challenges to be faced by the heterogeneous country like India? What is the role of the State?

In this Stage, Not only India globally, that government is best which Governs the least; Realization of Area - Govt. Must Perform- Infra, Skill Development, Health facility, Education;  Largest number of people get employed in the Informal Sector- Indian have all kinds of skill – richness of the country- some of skill require updating (in terms of Market/Technology/ Viability); Long term objective – make people to take jobs independent of Govt.; Challenges are quite a few: Degree with vocation training – mental block; People from Rural Parts of the Country (Bihar/Orissa) – if a person is a Mason/Technical person have no problem of job, but person with only with graduation with no training/experience remain unemployed;  need for monitoring the gaps and to bridge them – ensure promotion of Financial Inclusion;

At what state, we should introduce Skill Factor in the Education Curriculum?

Make the children know, what they are good at – channelizing the potential of the Demographic Dividend – only 25% of the graduates are employable – Basic skills of the Basic hours are not there in the people who pass-out; it should be taken care from the school days; Comparison between China & India in terms of Skill Development – Child of 8-9^th class are given Skill Training in China, but with India, it is still in the Papers; ITI’s provide this, which are taken only by the School Drop-outs;

What type of overhauling the system required making Skill Development Integral part of 

Growth, esp. Youth?

Basic Education system – as called by Mahatma Gandhi; nothing wrong in having Basic education, but also some manual work is required – dignity of labour work is essential;  

Digital India Campaign – Challenges with regard the size of the Country – other challenge of Diversity in culture, Demographic composition, and even geographical feature;  Info Tech is a one thing – provide cost effective solution – esp. Social & Educational Sectors; Digital India – important programme – what are the significance apart from broadband connection – in terms of transforming the society?

Must ensure, It should be for all – not only to Urban / Educated India; Basic skill is essential for the success of the Campaign; Last Budget – Large part of Social sector spending was curtailed, and shifted over to the Infrastructure; One hope, that doesn’t remain so, because it might become Flagships of new Government – rethink about the spending – India spend only 3-4% not even 6% GDP spending in Education (whereas Brazil 9%, Argentina (8.5%), South Africa (8.8%), even some countries spend 12-15%); this loop holes & limitations must be checked;  The opportunity provide by the IT – are benefits are captured only the Urban & Educated Section – it need to be percolated;

Categorization of spending (Social vs Non Social) – but the lines are getting blurred – E.g. Digital India, E-Governance - Combination of Social Sector & Infrastructure; Are we looking at these spending – Social sector vs Non Social Sector with new perspective?

Right form Inception- aim of building Temple of Modern India – IITs in to the excellence but primary education neglected; Strengthening Primary Education – Effectiveness of Teacher – Ensure Average Indian is truly a literate; Education is the key to Empowerment – it make the individual social responsible; East Asian Experience – Singapore Lee Kuan Yew Initiative – Individual responsibility is essential in the success of the Government Initiative;

Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan – significant programme - challenging the existing social attitude -changing Social Attitude;   How do you see it in this context?

Way it has taken in Institutional format – yet, connecting with the last man on the ground – important in public policy area; if we look at Vietnam, Cuba – ensure whether it be universalization of Education, Family health care – they were able to make it in a year; but in Context of India: Lack of Follow-up in the High profile programmes – Objective from Top, also a reason- Lack of ownership (in Social/Community Asset) also a reason, Lack of Monitoring in Grass Root level, Lack of Cooperation from the Public, Indian needs a Social Revolution rather than Political Revolution; We are not least of leaders, but lack in Spirit of Cooperative collaboration;