The Utthan Programme has been regarded as an innovative venture in the ongoing push for the speedy and complete coverage of all Bihar’s children under the umbrella of Elementary education.
The programme, first piloted and supported by UNICEF in 2007, initially focussed on those among the Dalit communities who had the least indicators of development. Following the success of the pilot intervention and initial replication in selected districts, the state Government through BEPC decided to roll it out throughout Bihar. The target population was out of school children of primary school-going ages from the ‘Mahadalit’ castes. The range was soon expanded when the State Government extended the ‘Mahadalit’ nomenclature some relatively better off caste groups .
The programme has resulted in a significant increase in the enrolment numbers of Dalit children from the most depressed classes and in retention and performance statistics as well.
The programme has also faced varied challenges due to geopolitical and socio-cultural factors.
This review looks at the programme implementation at ground level, assess its strengths and opportunities and looks at its implications in the light of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the RTE Act 2009.
Author: Frank Krishner
The programme, first piloted and supported by UNICEF in 2007, initially focussed on those among the Dalit communities who had the least indicators of development. Following the success of the pilot intervention and initial replication in selected districts, the state Government through BEPC decided to roll it out throughout Bihar. The target population was out of school children of primary school-going ages from the ‘Mahadalit’ castes. The range was soon expanded when the State Government extended the ‘Mahadalit’ nomenclature some relatively better off caste groups .
The programme has resulted in a significant increase in the enrolment numbers of Dalit children from the most depressed classes and in retention and performance statistics as well.
The programme has also faced varied challenges due to geopolitical and socio-cultural factors.
This review looks at the programme implementation at ground level, assess its strengths and opportunities and looks at its implications in the light of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the RTE Act 2009.
here's the link: this is a 40 page report....
Frank Krishner
July 2009
