Education Through Participation

AMITY BUSINESS SCHOOL
Education Through Participation:

An Avenue for Security of Sustainable Livelihood
By:
Dr. Arun Bhadauria

Assistant Professor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus
Overview
Participatory education mode is sought as a indispensable application to make Public Private Partnership (PPP) - a successful model of Education, which is much hyped for accomplishment of education for all - dream project of Government of India (GOI). The policy design and execution through available infrastructure, is in the redesigning mode. Innovative designs are being ushered in to create most appropriate resource base for education through participation. The response and success so far is satisfactory however it is seldom enough to notice rural education as driving force for sustainable rural development and sustainable livelihood security.
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Livelihood Security & Rural Mindset

Rural livelihood security is absolutely a separate issue so far as looked upon by common village inhabitants. The rural elites in the past have propagated a thought i.e. work is beyond education. More educated means more difficult to find employment in the area. Such kind of thoughts, beliefs, misconceptions are needed to be addressed with adequate blend of employment, economic activity and learning by doing.
Pragmatism in Education
They (adults) will not be asked to join for education only but to come for job and learning by doing with the assurance of getting employment Minors will be provided adequately monitored education equipped with functional student database hub. MNREGA however doing good job in this regard, it is suffering from corruption as this programme is politically motivated and activities are forcefully created for villagers. The said activity does not provide sustainable means of livelihood security as it does not has business opportunities, competition and business characteristics.
School-to-Work (STW)
Vision
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Business Opportunities are created by absolute and free participation of all the communities, physical infrastructure and Government Bodies. While role of government is of regulator and facilitator which is being performed through MNREGA type programmes to create physical infrastructure, the other segment i.e. community Business Community and Household both are required to show interest in the utilization of the created infrastructure. This objective may be accomplished only through Public Private Partnership but through Participation of people, which constitute 4P Model. This model though is not in action but it needs to be on priority for sustainable livelihood security.
1. Conceptual Shift in the meaning of Livelihood Security:
Livelihood security is defined as adequate and sustainable access to income and resources to meet basic needs (including adequate access to food, potable water, health facilities, educational opportunities, housing, time for community participation and social integration). Livelihoods can be made up of a range of on-farm, off-farm and extra-territorial activities which together provide a variety of procurement strategies for food, cash, shelter, recognition, satisfaction, grooming, growth and development. Thus, each individual can have several possible sources of entitlement which constitute its livelihood. These entitlements are based on the resource endowment and its position in the legal, political and social fabric of society (Drinkwater and McEwan, 1992).
Friday, July 29, 2011
Sustainable livelihood
The risk of livelihood failure determines the level of vulnerability of an individual to income, food, health, nutritional, political, social and psychological insecurity. Therefore, livelihoods are secure when individual have secure ownership of, or access to, resources and income earning activities, including reserves and assets, to offset risks, ease shocks and meet contingencies (Chambers, 1989). A livelihood is sustainable, when it can cope with and recover from the stress and shocks, maintain its capability and assets, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the many generation to come (Chambers and Conway 1992).
Subsets of livelihood security

Unfortunately, not all households are equal in their ability to cope with stress and repeated shocks. Poor people balance competing needs for asset preservation, income generation and present and future food supplies in complex ways (Maxwell and Smith, 1992). Thus, food and nutritional security are subsets of livelihood security; food needs are not necessarily more important than other basic needs or aspects of subsistence and survival within households. Foodinsecure households juggle among a range of requirements, including immediate consumption and future capacity to produce.
AMITY BUSINESS SCHOOL 1.1 Current Issues and fundamental parameters of livelihood security
The structural vulnerability of livelihood systems in Less Developed Countries (LDCs) such as skewed distribution of resources, subdivision and fragmentation of land holdings, poor connectivity and of course low level of awareness and education, backward and inhibitory approach towards developmental processes led to poor, non-livable, economically weaker and unsustainable dwellings; Focusing and deliberating upon improved technology of production and processing to stabilize yields through diversification into agro-ecologically appropriate crops, natural resource management, filing up of voids in economic and political distribution system, cost effective and business oriented measures are brazenly required. Friday, July 29, 2011 9 (e.g. soil and water conservation).
Need to do
Operational approach to Create alternative income-generating activities for the purpose of attainment the goal of self-sustained system (e.g. activities to develop small enterprise); Need of reinforcing coping strategies that are economically, environmentally, globally and of course locally sustainable (e.g. seasonally appropriate off-farm employment); Improvement in on-site inventory management and implementation capacity to increase the availability of buffer stocks in order to provide cushions from shocks; Improvement through community participation in common property and logistics management.
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1.2 Components of household livelihood security

Security of Business Opportunity and development Economic security (income, skills, time) Nutritional security (Shelter, Mother and child care Health including water and sanitation) Environmental Awareness Security Educational Participatory security Community participation (gender, ethnic group, religious affiliation) Habitat security Food security Health security Political & Legal Security
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International Experience
Livelihood Security requires strengthening the capacity of masses and political system mapping out key issues, providing guidance on necessary priority actions leading to economic well-being, determining populations most at risk, and building community and household resilience through awareness raising activities with the functional and effective association with community volunteer organization.
Southern Sudan and surrounding areas such as Abyei, the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile may be taken as illustration where food security is addressed through development of an integrated food security strategy and by leveraging Title II and Disaster Assistance funds in a complementary manner that emphasizes the transitions taking place in livelihoods, education, health, nutrition, institutions and security. Friday, July 29, 2011 12
OXFAMs Endeavour
OXFAMs livelihoods program in Tazikistan revolving around to identify problems, potential solutions, partnerships, and interventions are appropriate to address the complex issues of food and livelihood security thereby trying to develop a five year strategic framework and a proposal for a sustainable livelihoods program at national and regional levels. World Food Programme (WFP) in rural Bangladesh aims to create socio-economic profiles and determine levels of vulnerability and food security in operational areas. The disaggregating by socio-economic status enabled a more nuanced and descriptive analysis of food security and vulnerability issues, allowing WFP to design their programmes accordingly.
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2. Issues of livelihood security are addressed with employment through Participation and education approach
Education is a key component in the conceptualization of the 11th Five Year Plan (FYP). As per draft of FYP Nine working groups and Four steering committee are constituted for education in which larger emphasis has been laid upon Development of Education of SC/ST/ Minorities/ Girls/and other Disadvantaged Groups, Technical Education, Higher Education, Language Development and Book Promotion, Secondary and Vocational Education, Sports and Physical Education, Adolescents' Development and Sports & Youth Affairs, Basic/Elementary Education and Literacy, Art and Culture. The whole gamut of actions and policymaking under the aegis of planning commission is deviating from employment-oriented, participatory and livelihood security based sustainable education system. No doubt that Government of India has done commendable work in the field of primary and higher education. Despite of some good work over past 50 years by the governing bodies, the literacy rate is dismally low at 61%. The country, which ranks 2nd in the terms of population and is one of the fastest growing economies, ranks disappointing 144th in ranking of countries based on literacy rate. One of the largest countries in the world in terms of population has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. The country being claimed to emerge as next superpower is lagging far behind in Human Development Index. "Education is the most critical element in providing employment to people with appropriate skills and knowledge and giving them access to participate in creation and establishment of productive employment activities in the future. The 11th Plan should pay special attention to this area. An ideal we should strive for is that all inhabitants should be able to get as much participation in employment generation activities and education as they are capable of getting, irrespective of their socioFriday, July 29, 2011 14 economic, ethical, religious and psychological profile."
2.1 Dropouts and Participation Policy

One of the main reasons for low mental and personality grooming despite constant thrust from government is inability to track a student's progress and to keep them concerned with all round priority over hunger and life. If there is a consolidated place where all the student information is available then it becomes easier to analyze the performance of various initiatives taken by Ministry of HRD. This may help in monitoring students participation in all the activities which in one or other way will help them to grow mentally and physically. The "Student Data Hub" can assist the Planning Commission and various Stakeholders to understand the lifelong education of the entire student population across all sectors past, present and future with a complete longitudinal profile Integrated with all administrative systems, institutions and agencies and leverage this for learning, analysis, planning and administration of the Indian Education System
Some of the major objectives that are important and are in line with Planning Commission's objectives are mentioned below:
Education for Poor

Not just enrolment but education on economical security. Sharp reduction in drop-outs through pulling back mechanism.
Inclusion of excluded groups - SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities and Girls on the basis of various levels of participation. Development of national standards and norms for educational and learning levels Active participation of community in management of schools - move from highly centralized system to a decentralized system and finally resorting to selfsustained system of education & economy. Assisting disadvantaged, destitute and deprived children
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2.2 The "Student Data Hub"

The "Student Data Hub" can assist the Planning Commission and various Stakeholders to understand the lifelong education of the entire student population across all sectors past, present and future with a complete longitudinal profile Integrated with all administrative systems, institutions and agencies and leverage this for learning, analysis, planning and administration of the Indian Education System Universalization of Secondary Education for the knowledge driven world. Removal of disparities in education and skills. Accountability for delivery of education - public, private and self established. Merit-cum-Means based loan and scholarship programs through SHG and other similar micro credit systems. Student data validation for admissions, testing and grading - both domestic and migrating (see Notes about success stories and recommended student data hub). Ensure continuous and growing supply of quality manpower to the services sector and industries. Increase Technical/Vocational Education and Skill Development. Increase adult literacy through continuing education programs. Enlarging the pool of scientific manpower - identify and nurture bright young students to take up higher studies for pursuing scientific research as a career. Friday, July 29, 2011 17
3. Education is ensured through participation in economic SCHOOL AMITY BUSINESS and livelihood earning activities. 3.1 Sherry Arnstein (1969) described a ladder of participation with eight steps.
First is Manipulation and second is Non participative Therapy aims to cure or educate the participants. The proposed plan is best and the job of participation is to achieve public support by public relations. Third and most important step to legitimate participation is information. However, there is needed to lay lesser emphasis on a one way flow of information ignoring any channel for feedback. Fourth is Consultation i.e. Attitude surveys, neighbourhood meetings and public enquire. Fifth is Placation - Co-option of hand-picked 'worthies' onto committees. Sixth is Partnership in which Power redistributed through negotiation between citizens and power holders. Planning and decision-making responsibilities are shared. Seventh & eighth is Delegated power and Citizen Control. Citizens are holding a clear majority of seats on committees with delegated powers to make decisions. Public now has the power to assure accountability of the program to them. Have-nots handle the entire job of planning, policy making and managing a program.
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9 steps
3.2.1 Initiation and process: Participation doesn't just happen, it is initiated. Someone then manages a process over time, and allows others involved some control over what happens. The process is described during four phases: Initiation - Preparation Participation - Continuation. 3.2.2 Control: The initiator is in a strong position to decide how much control for. This decision is equivalent to taking a stand on the ladder - or adopted a stance about the level of participation. 3.2.3 Power and Purpose: Understanding participation involves understanding power: the ability of the different interests to achieve what they want. Power will depend on who has information and money. It will also depend on people's confidence and skills. Many organizations are unwilling to allow people to participate because they fear loss of control. However, there are many situations when working together allows everyone to achieve more than they could on their own. These represent the benefits of participation. 3.2.4 Role of the facilitators: Facilitators control much of what happens. It is important they constantly think about the part they are playing.
Contnd
3.2.5 Stakeholders and Community: A stakeholder is anyone who has a stake in what happens. Who will be affected by any project, who controls the information, skills and money needed, who may help and who may hinder? Everyone affected does not have an equal say. Use the ladder to think about who has most influence. The community which participates depends on the project as different people are interested in different issues. 3.2.6 Partnership: Useful when a number of different interests willingly come together formally or informally to achieve some common purpose. The partners don't have to be equal in skills, funds or even confidence, but they do have to trust each other and share some commitment. Building trust and commitment takes time. 3.2.7 Commitment: Commitment is the other side of apathy: committed people want to achieve something, apathetic don't. But what leads to commitment? Not telling people "You ought to care," inviting them to public meetings or bombarding them with glossy leaflets. People care about what they are interested in, and become committed when they feel they can achieve something. Hard selling won't achieve that. If people are apathetic about your proposals, it may simply be that they don't share your interests or concerns. 3.2.8 Ownership of ideas: People are most likely to be committed to carry something through if they have a stake in the idea, or allow people to say "We thought of that." In practice that means running brainstorming workshops, helping people think through the practicality of ideas, and negotiating with others a result which is acceptable to as many people as possible. Apathy is directly proportional to the stake people have in ideas and outcomes. 3.2.9 Confidence and capacity: Putting ideas into practice depends on people's confidence and skills. Many participation processes involve breaking new ground. It is unrealistic to expect individuals or small groups suddenly to develop the capability to make complex decisions and become involved in major projects. They need training or the opportunity to learn formally and informally, to develop confidence, and trust in each other. 20
3.3 Economic inequalities

Economic inequalities led to emergence of deprived class as evident in British economy many people in low and middle income jobs have seen either little or no improvement in their earnings over the last three decades. Ironically, wages have grown by almost 100 percent for rich minority such as Judges, Barristers, Solicitors etc, while they fell by 5 percent for truck drivers, packers, bottlers in the same period (see Notes). Wages grew by over 100 percent for a "rich minority" of judges, barristers and solicitors, while they fell by 5 percent for forklift truck drivers and 3 percent for packers and bottlers in the same period (AFP Report, 2011). Their participation is forbidden and the rift has been increasing between and within nations, regions and cities, but questions of redistribution have to some extent been displaced by those of recognition, empowerment and diversity in urban and regional inquiry and policy. Such things have happened due to lack of participation. Participation is certainly a necessary condition for moving towards a more egalitarian society, current policies are valuable but limited in terms of the degree of representation and the extent of control. They are part of an affirmative agenda - that is, they tackle symptoms but not causes of destitution. It has been suggested that artificial measures like reservation may only ensure quantitative participation it does not guarantee educational, political, economical and administrative empowerment. Along with a favorable political will, a number of complementary interventions need to be initiated to overhaul protection based socioeconomic structure. This calls for an organized and sustained mass movement to adequately represent masses interests. The ongoing experiments and experiences suggest that periodic training, orientation and sensitization can help peoples representatives perform their assigned functions in a better way. In this regard, they are to be supported by institutions like the NonGovernment Organizations (NGOs), Community level associations and organizations and above all the political parties which may politically enlighten the masses especially on the issues like integrated development mechanism. 21
AMITY BUSINESS SCHOOL 4. Transformation of Societies into group of rational Citizens
Social and cultural dimensions have always been important for accomplishment of long-term national goals. Had our freedom fighters not followed Mahatma Gandhi, freedom certainly would not have been restored. Similarly, transformation of social groups into open-minded, rational, educated and development oriented groups can do miracles in livelihood security and development. Perhaps this is the reason behind numerous failures encountered when development is given an exclusively techno-economic orientation, provide the basis for a new search to give meaning to hitherto neglect socio-cultural norms. This search is all the more relevant in this era of globalization that set into momentum the tendency to homogenize social and cultural specificity. The sustainability of any society will depend in large measure on the degree of diversity and self-reliance that it is able to maintain with regard to reproducing its social and cultural concomitants. At the core of this are issues pertaining to the food and livelihood security of its people. Society may address this issue through comprehensive approach of participation and dialogue.
Conclusion
Participation is the only key to open the plethora of opportunities for the self-sustainable development and management system. The mix of technology and participatory tool brings forth revolutionary changes in the socio-economic and security aspects of the masses. In the response of this mechanism application of participatory economic activities led education which is self sustained leading to the highest preference to the attendance and maintenance of need-utilizationregeneration records through data hub, as mentioned in the notes, is the need of the hour.
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AMITY BUSINESS SCHOOL