Community Participation and Decentralization in Elementary Education: Pratham-NGO in Gujarat

The aim of the research paper is to analyse how community participation can promote elementary quality education for disadvantaged children in the context of decentralization. This research has mainly used three methodologies, literature review, appreciative inquiry and the best practice technique. The study focuses on analyzing Prathamintervention a well known educational nonprofit in India as a best practice scenario. The results of this research suggest that process, structures of intervention, tools and mechanisms for community participation should be designed for inclusive participation of all community members. Natural inclusion does not happen as it is difficult to work with the disadvantage community. All sorts of decentralization in reality do not promote community Participation and depends on its implementation strategy. In Gujarat though there was space for community participation but it was more controlled and it comes across to bring about more efficiency. For long term sustainability, effectiveness and efficiency to be brought, it is important for volunteer’s to emerge as independent bodies or groups who are committed and knowledgeable who can tackle issues related to various government schemes or issues. It concludes that Community Participation is the first step to bring about actual decentralization if community empowerment is the goal.