India: Access to India: Access to Schooling in Schooling in AmbakachAmbakach

India: Access to India: Access to Schooling in Schooling in AmbakachAmbakachProject Gender AnalysisProject Gender Analysis

Alexandra AndaAlexandra AndaNovember 7November 7thth 2006 2006

Ambakach• Poor rural isolated village in India• Population: 1,003

Female: 449* Male: 554• Children Primary School Age (6-10 years old):

Girls: 111 Boys: 127

• Main Livelihood: Farming Farmers: 102

- Poor soil quality (one annual crop cycle) - Water Scarcity - No production during dry season

• Livestock very important

*Rao Introduction In South Asia less women than men due to unequal access to healthcare

School Incentives Program

• 1983 Gujarat chief minister

• 10 villages in extreme poverty

• Purpose: boost enrollment and

attendance rates for children in primary schools

• Incentives:- uniforms- textbooks- slates- classroom equipment- midday meals- allotment of food

grains

Grain Allotment• 80% monthly attendance recordGirls: 10 kg corn per monthBoys: 8 kg corn per month

• Uniforms, slates and books not received regularly

Informal Schooling: A Viable Alternative

• Formal schooling not reaching poor and disadvantaged• Children discover their own learning style and pace• Community women and men trained to teach

- Men farmers - Women full-time housework

• Schedule: 7 – 9 pm• Classrooms: houses or village buildings• Local vocabulary and speech adopted• Individualized materials meet interests and needs• Few materials low cost and sharing values

Results• 4, 242 students in three years

Girls: 3,238Boys: 1,004

• Dropout Rate: 28% lower than national average in formal schooling

• Women pressuring for alternatives Reading centers (libraries)

Conclusions• Incentives Program is reaching males

more than females• Female dropout remains high• Most rewards going to males• Who benefits from grains? • Ignoring: Higher income for women well-being

for entire family