Submitted by sep_admin on Fri, 2017-02-17 23:46
The last two decades have seen intense efforts by government to expand the provision and improve the infrastructure for elementary education in India, complemented by the emergence of increasing and diverse private sector provisions. In this paper, using National Sample Survey data for four time periods since 1986-87, the aim is to examine whether there has been any evidence of increased participation in elementary education. The analysis shows that the number of children participating in elementary education has improved, and the improvements are more visible among children from rural areas, educationally lagging states, girls and those from the socially and economically disadvantaged groups. While private sector capture has been increasing, government is still the major provider, and especially so for children from marginalized groups. At the same time, the analysis also points to the persisting gaps in participation, completion and transition among children from the disadvantaged groups, in spite of the progress, especially during the last decade or so.