Shaheen Mistri | Amitav Virmani | Gaurav Singh

Enrolment and access to schooling in India has markedly improved over the last few years, in part owing to notable legislations like the Right to Education (RTE) Act and corresponding Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, resulting in universalisation of primary school education for children from 6 to 14 years. With a 26.4% rise in general enrolment ratio for girls’ in elementary education in the last 15 years, the gender gap in education is improving. The Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-12) had proposed the setting up of 2,500 schools under the Public Private Partnership or PPP model, which are now being implemented by the States, with increased devolution of funds by the Centre.

Public sector reformers expect PPPs to bring together the best of both worlds: the state’s focus on equity and social unity and the private sector’s innovation and proficiency. This would also compliment the social commitment of the not-for-profit sector, which is an essential partner in this sector. The PPP model, if designed strategically can provide solutions to the shortcomings of public and private schools with an exchange of resources and expertise. This discussion aims to understand which PPP models will work to augment the existing infrastructure development and capacity building in education. Join us, for a discussion that aims to explore the efficacy and feasibility of the public private partnership model in education and brings forward new ideas to implement and sustain it.