State Finance Study: District Primary Education Programme, Karnataka

Abstract

From Introduction: Primary education Is perceived as getting top billing in the country both in terms of financial allocations and administrative attention. The NDC Committee on Literacy recommended; “The committee feels that the outlay for the two sub sectors of elementary and adult education, should, in successive annual/five years plans be not less than 50% of education sector outlay till the goals of Universalisation of elementary education and eradication of adult Illiteracy have been achieved." Keeping this as top priority the District Primary Education Programme was set up In 1993 as a centrally sponsored programme with external funding support from various international agencies. The funds under the DPEP come to the state as a grant, not as a loan that has to be repaid. This makes It attractive to the state, and it underlines the emphasis that is now being given to primary education.