India’s population of illiterates at the turn of the twenty-first century is larger than its total population in 1947. Unlike any other emerging market economy not only are all children not in school but millions drop out before completing eighth grade. The poor quality of elementary education has kept India’s economy and the capabilities of its labour force caged for half a century. This book is based on a survey of seven educationally backward states accounting for three-fourths of India’s children out of school–Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal; and one relatively good performer–Tamil Nadu. The focus is on: Public expenditure on elementary schooling; Private sector in elementary education; Assessing public and private provision of elementary education in India; and Household expenditure on elementary education. Covering public spending, the comparative effectiveness of private and government schools, and the costs of achieving universal elementary education by 2010, the book points to an important agenda for education reform. The book will be useful for development specialists especially policymakers, education specialists, international as well as UN agencies, and bilateral donors.
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