The study had following objectives: 1) To study the impact of ETV programs on the scholastic achievement of primary school children in Andhra Pradesh with special reference to (a) Environmental Studies – I and (b) Environmental Studies – II. (2) To study the opinions of the user teachers and M.E.O.s about utilization of ETV programs with special reference to quality and operational status of T.V. sets.

The study had following hypothesis: (1) The experimental group of children exposed to ETV programs will show significant difference in their scholastic achievement in Environmental Studies I and II as compared to control group of children not exposed to ETV programs. (2) There will be no significant difference in the scholastic achievement in the subjects Environmental Studies – I and II (EVS-I and II) as compared among the three control groups of Nalgonda, Krishna and Kurnool districts who are exposed to ETV programs.

The survey method was used to obtain information on enrollment of students, infrastructural facilities, qualifications, service experience, general functioning of TV sets and opinion of the user teachers and Mandal Education Officers about the quality and utility of ETV programs. The sample of the study constituted 21 experimental (TV schools) and 21 control schools (non TV schools) representing three regions i.e. Telangana, Coastal Andhra and Rayalseema of A.P. and one district was represented i.e. Nalgonda from Telangana, Krishna from Coastal Andhra and Kurnool from Rayalseema. The study included 42 schools, 420 students, 180 teachers and 120 Mandal Education Officers.

Tools developed for the study were Achievement tests in Environmental Studies I and II for the primary school children and Questionnaires were developed to collect information from user teachers and Mandal Education Officers on various aspects of quality and utility of ETV programs.

The study incorporated both survey as well as quasi-experimental design.

The data were analyzed with the help of t-test.

Ths tusy arrived at following findings: (1) The experimental group had higher mean achievement score. It indicated the impact of the educational television medium on the scholastic achievement of primary schools children. (2) The children exposed to TV were higher in their scholastic achievement as compared to the children not exposed to television. (3) School children highlighted favorable results towards the positive influence of the TV, particularly in regard to the scholastic achievement on Environmental Studies I and II. (4) With regard to qualifications, experience and training in teaching, teachers of the experimental and control setup were found comparable, except the teachers of experimental group who was exposed to user teaching training. (5) It was felt that if the highlights of the programs were informed in advance user teachers will be prepared in advance for better utilization of ETV programs, adequate training must be given apart from supplying user guides for better utilization of ETV programs in classroom, and lack of safety to the TV sets also caused hindrance for better utilization. (6) Teachers opined that children liked programs presented through stories, Ballets, drama and puppetry, quiz and field trips. (7) On the whole, the overall quality of production techniques, the structure of the content and format of presentation as well as dramatic treatment were the major factors determining the appeal of the programs.