Srivastava, Gouri. (2014). STRATEGIES ADOPTED FOR ENROLLING GIRLS IN KASTURBA GANDHI BALIKA VIDYALAYAS MANAGED BY DDIFFERENT AGENCIES IN ANDHRA PRADESH, BIHAR AND GUJARAT: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY. Unpublished. ERIC, Education

Objectives of the study:

The objectives of the study are to:

• examine different mobilization strategies for enrolling girls from marginalized groups in KGBVs run by different managements.

• Study whether there is any follow up procedure adopted after mobilization of the community for enrollment of girls from that particular community

• analyze whether the selection procedure adopted covers the most needy and educationally deprived girls in enrolling as per the norms of RTE act.

Sample of the study:

Andhra Pradesh:

• Field visits were undertaken in two KGBVs that were managed by Andhra Pradesh KGBV Society/ RVM (SSA) and A P Residential Education Institution (APREI) society.

• Perceptions of senior officials, state level monitoring officers, gender coordinator, Girl Child development officer, parents, teachers and girls were also collected

Bihar

• Field visits were undertaken in two KGBVs that were managed by SSA and Mahila Samakhya.

• Perceptions of senior officials, state level monitoring officers, gender coordinator, Girl Child development officer, parents, teachers and girls were also collected

Gujarat

• Field visits were undertaken in two KGBVs that were managed by SSA and Mahila Samakhya.

• Perceptions of senior officials, state level monitoring officers, gender coordinator, Girl Child development officer, parents, teachers and girls were also collected

Tools of the study:

• Interview schedule for senior level state officials know the procedures adopted for enrolling girls.

• Structured interviews for girls, teachers and community members were used to know the in detail their perceptions about different mobilization strategies and barriers for enrollment of girls.

Method of the study:

The study is mainly qualitative in nature. It focuses on examining the KGBVs run by different managements in the state of Gujarat,Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

Statistical Technique used:

Percentage analysis

Findings of the study:

• In the study states, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat, multiple strategies are adopted for enrolling girls in the KGBV scheme. These strategies include involvement of local officers at the block level, state, district and gender coordinators for canvassing about the scheme and monitoring its implication.

• Local media which include print and audio-video have been effectively used by all the states to make the community aware about the details of the scheme.

• Teachers and wardens of the scheme in all the states are involved in identifying out of school girls to be enrolled in KGBV.

• In all the states senior and pass out girls have become agents of mobilization.

• Kala jathas, summer camps, Exhibitions by KGBV girls, night meetings with parents, video films on KGBV have also been successful strategies for convincing parents and the community about the scheme.

• Mahila Samakhya initiatives in the states of Gujarat and Bihar in the context of identifying out of school girls has been meticulously done, as they have strong village level information about families and out of school girls.

• The percentage of never enrolled girls in all KGBVs visited was minuscule.

• In all the states visited it was found that the demand for admission in KGBV was more than the supply.

• Parents and the community members stated that KGBV schools have now emerged as an elite educational institution for the marginalized girls.

• The guidelines for enrolling girls in all the states have expanded to include girls with disability, girls of single parents, orphans and victims of domestic violence.

• The methodology for identifying learning levels of girls to be enrolled in class VI, which is the entry point in all KGBVs was not documented. The response of stakeholders was mixed in this regard. In all the states there was a mention of conduct of written or oral tests.

• The bridging mechanism varied from state of state and also between KGBVS. There was no fixed criterion. Girls were formed into groups based on their comprehension of subjects and learning levels related to Science, Mathematics, Languages and Social Studies.

• State textbooks wee used for bringing in Gujarat and Bihar. Andhra Pradhesh had developed its own bridge courses in Telugu language.

• Transition of girls from KGBV to secondary level is ensured in Gujarat, where additional budget is provided for conveyance allowance and hostel facility in 22 KGBVs. The girls reside in KGBV and attend nearby govt. Schools in Class IX and X. In Andhra Pradesh KGBV girls continued their education till class IX. In Bihar, there was a mention that a register was mentioned to track the girls who graduate from the KGBV.

• All the stakeholders were of the opinion that the scheme should be up-scaled to senior secondary level so that girls complete their schooling cycle.

• In KGBVs across states it was found that intermixing of girls from different communities was communities.

• The scheme positively linked girls with their lives, education and livelihoods.

Keyword(s): Kasturba Gandi Balika Vidyalaya(KGBV) , Girls Education