Education of the Masses : A Quest for Pedagogy

Contents: Preface. List of abbreviations. I. The quest: 1. Introduction. 2. Education of the masses. 3. The planning process. 4. Pedagogy, teacher training and capacity development for quality improvement. 5. Census profiles. 6. Disparities--educational surveys. 7. Challenges of elementary education. II. Educational disparities at elementary level: in support of the quest: 8. State-specific evidence. 9. The Andhra Pradesh evidence. 10. International evidence. 11. Determinants of discrimination. III. Pedagogy in practice: educational disparities in Andhra Pradesh: 12. Literacy profile. 13. District profile. 14. Case study of district disparities. 15. Disparities in the case study Mandal. 16. Malikipuram Mandal case study. 17. Conclusion. IV. Schools as centres for joyful learning: 18. Outcome of the quest. 19. Indomitable problem. 20. Determinants of disparities. 21. Case-study outcomes. 22. Implications. Suggestions. Bibliography.

"Education, being as essential investment in the development of human resources, is quite vital to the nation building process. In this regard quality has been one of the major concerns of education across all levels. With the globalisation of economy, demand for quality education has become all the more prominent. Presently different sections of the society in any part of the world do not have an equal access to education, especially in the developing and under-developed countries, so much so that inequality in the distribution of earnings and inequality in access to education form an unabated vicious circle, forcing every nation to set the clock right.

The book address elementary education with special reference to Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE) and quality concerns in terms of pedagogical quests. Implementation of UEE programme depends upon a holistic planning and management strategies, instrumentalities as well as methods of strategic implementation in schools. The book also attempts to make an empirical research on the basis of case study of Andhra Pradesh and reflects determinants of disparities along with implications and suggestions. It presents the perspectives of UEE, vis-a-vis the emerging educational innovations and practices.

Research scholars, policy makers and in-service teachers may find the book useful." (jacket)