Question 9:
A student of Delhi University, Raghavendra Parpanna, wanted to study the role of decentralisation in decision-making about primary education. He asked some questions to the villagers. These questions are given below. If you were among those villagers, what answer would you give to each of these questions?
A meeting of the Gram Sabha is to be called to discuss what steps should be taken to ensure that every child of the village goes to the school.
a. How would you decide the suitable day for the meeting? Think who would be able to attend / not attend the meeting because of your choice.
(i) A day specified by the BDO or the collector
(ii) Day of the village haat
(iii) Sunday
(iv) Naag panchami / sankranti
b. What is a suitable venue for the meeting? Why?
(i) Venue suggested by the circular of the district collector.
(ii) Religious place in the village.
(iii) Dalit Mohalla
(iv) Upper caste Tola
(v) Village school
c. In the Gram Sabha meeting firstly a circular sent by the district collector was read. It suggested what steps should be taken to organise an education rally and what should be its route. The meeting did not discuss about the children who never come to school or about girls’ education, or the condition of the school building and the timing of the school. No women teacher attended the meeting as it was held on Sunday.
What do you think about these proceedings as an instance of people’s participation?
d. Imagine your class as the Gram Sabha. Discuss the agenda of the meeting and suggest some steps to realise the goal.
Answers
ANSWER :
(a)(iii)SUNDAY is the best day for the meeting. Maximum villagers can attend the meeting on Sunday.
(b) (v) VILLAGE SCHOOL is a suitable venue for the meeting.
(c)In the gram sabha meeting, maximum villagers both men and women should attend the meeting. There should be active participation. Attendance for school teachers should be compulsory. There should be open discussion about the rally. Suggestion from the villages should be invited. The meeting should discuss about those children who are not attending the school. Conditions of the school building should be discussed and decision should be taken to improve the building.
(d) To ensure that every child of the village goes to the school following steps should be taken :
(i)Parents should be convinced to send their children to school.
(ii) Awareness should be created among the villagers.
(iii) Some incentives should be given to the children. For e.g ,books, copies, uniform should be given free to all children. Some cash money should be given to poor children. Mid day meal should also be given to every child.
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