The success of the primary education system has a direct bearing on the upper primary, non-formal and adult and continuing education sectors; an efficient primary education system is expected to contribute significantly to total literacy: an appropriate rise in literacy levels improves the functioning of other systems of education. Effective delivery of primary education contributes to bettering India's HDI (Human Development Index), including our standing in the Human Development Index evolved by UNDP. This volume is a study of the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) in one of the states of South India. It is a piece of policy evaluation research expected to contribute to the ongoing discussion of policy processes in primary schools. It specifically questions to what extent objectives such as access, retention, quality and equality are achieved by the implementation of the DPEP. Figures from before and after the implementation of the DPEP show a significant increase in enrolment levels in primary schools all over the state. Thus, the major impact of DPEP implementation is seen in enhanced access to primary schools. The study shows that the DPEP implementation succeeded in attaining the objective of equality. This can be observed from gender equality in dropout rates at various primary grades. The DPEP seems to have achieved only moderate success in meeting the objective of retention of students. The DPEP does not seem to have approached the quality objective very seriously.

The original Article 45 in the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution mandated the State to endeavour to provide free and compulsory education to all children up to age 14 within a period of 10 years. The national policy on Education (NPE), 1986/92, states. It seems the positive role of Universal Elementary Education (UEE) in strengthening the socio-economic base of a nation cannot be over - emphasised. Recognising the importance of it. A new Article 21A was added in Part I of the Constitution of India to make free and compulsory elementary education a fundamental right for children. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (or RTE) came into force in India with effect from 1 April 2010. Even before the RTE came into force, the Government of India's efforts were towards universalisation of elementary education in the country. This paper describes the stages through which the RTE Act has come into effect and how, in the course of implementing the RTE Act, the existing system has been changed and aligned with a view to fulfill its objectives. It also discusses how various other important schemes of the central and state governments.

Revised version of most of the papers presented at a seminar held in June 2006.

Contributed articles.