By
Shobhita Rajagopal and Radhey Shyam Sharma
Sponsored by Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS), Bangalore

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and State Open Schools (SOS) are the major institutions started by national and state governments for this purpose. The main objectives of the research was to examine if the present system of ODL delivered through national and state institutions have the capacity and potential to fulfil the policy goal of enrolling about 12 million students, who are educationally disadvantaged and find it difficult to access regular schooling, and provide them quality secondary schooling education. The study was carried out during the months of May 2015 to December 2016. The study reveals that the main advantage of enrolling in NIOS and RSOS was seen in terms of improved future prospects both in terms of higher education and job opportunities. Most of the learners felt that after completion of the course they could apply for jobs especially government jobs. However, there are wide information gaps relating to the number and choice of subjects that can be taken, intended and actual practices, and TMAs. The issue of Education vs Certification is central to the ODL processes. There is a greater demand for certification. Academic Support through AIs in terms of contact classes as well as Teacher Marked Assignments is not adequate, especially in Rajasthan. There is also a challenge of using technology: All processes, right from admission forms to teaching learning materials, are online. There is a significant role played by middlemen and agents that does not make the ODL a cost effective option for learners.

By
Motilal Mahamallik and Kanchan Mathur
Sponsored by Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Rajasthan

Defining people’s well-being as the end of development and treating economic growth as a means have been central massages of the Human Development Reports since the 1990s.’ In pursuance of this, union and state governments in India have taken measures to address the human development issues collaboratively as well as independently. The state of Rajasthan is a front runner in taking the initiative of preparing the Human Development Reports (HDRs) and three Human Development Reports have been prepared in the state (1) Human Development Report: 1999, by a group of independent researchers, (2) Human Development Report: 2002 by Government of Rajasthan, and (3) Human Development Report an Update, 2008 prepared by Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur for the Government of Rajasthan. The present HDR for Rajasthan 2015-16 is being prepared by the Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur, on behalf of the Government of Rajasthan. This report is based on the theme of ‘Equity and Sustainability’. In addition the report has nine chapters on different dimensions of human development. An attempt has also been made to incorporate experiences, and qualitative information collected from the field to enrich the quality of the report. Top three and bottom three districts have been identified based on the performance in the output indices such as HDI/ HPI/ GDI and primary (mostly qualitative) information collected to understand the reason of good and bad performance of these districts.

By
Motilal Mahamallik and Jai Singh Rathore
Sponsored by Directorate of Local Bodies, Jaipur

This report tables the results of a survey undertaken during April and May 2015 amongst all homeless people present in the city of Jaipur at that point of time. Because of the anonymous character of this group of population, the possibility of a complete enumeration in the city has to be ruled out. The total number of homeless mapped during the survey was 15634. The analysis here is based on the information provided in 572 valid survey forms. The methodology was developed after discussions with experts in mapping the ‘homeless population’, civil society organisations working for the homeless people, academicians, and commissioners appointed by the Honourable high court of Rajasthan to look into the issue of homeless in Rajasthan etc. In order to capture the accurate number of homeless the survey proceeded in three steps: Surveying; Mapping and Night shelter visit. The finding of the study highlight that majority of homeless are working men and women and are productive citizens; a significant number of homeless are also children. The motivation to migrate is a result of the poor state of the rural economy. They sleep on the pavements and at workplaces, often eat only one meal a day and cook occasionally and sometimes get food from philanthropic organizations. They depend on water from unsafe sources (public places). A significant number of homeless are not aware about the night shelters. They cannot access the night shelters as they do not have any identity cards, few do not want to avail the facility because there is no provision for women, family, space to keep their assets.

By
Motilal Mahamallik and Jai Singh Rathore
Sponsored by National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj

Few major observations emerging from the study are: the issue of labour market is much more complex than it has been understood so far; primary data base study on labour markets has an added advantage because it gives the freedom of excavate the issue and unearth the reason behind the change very minutely; there is noticeable change observed in the forms of labour contracts and ‘terms and conditions’ of labour contract. The reasons for change are government policies, increasing social security mechanisms, increasing urbanisation, opening up of the non-farm sector, mechanisation of agriculture etc. Efforts were made to understand these issues at the field level. However, the study underscores the need for more in-depth study for an in-depth analysis.

By
Jyotsna Rajvanshi
Sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi

This study looked into the socio-cultural dimensions of legal provisions and policies for protection of children in India and Rajasthan. It also attempted to analyze various issues for prevention: policy/ legal provisions/ programmes in place, redressal mechanisma and challenges faced. The study also suggests measures to upscale the effective implementation of child protection schemes in Rajasthan. The study explored the extent of awareness and linkages of family and community with the district, state and national child protection system, perception of communities for government mechanisms such as the police and legal system, gaps in these linkages, views of people to recognize childhood and children’s development. The research used systematic, qualitative methodology to provide richness and in-depth understanding of the problem, as well as to elicit and learn about views of functionaries of child protection system and teachers, parents and children themselves. By eliciting their own views, values, and practices, a rich, grounded picture of their beliefs and practices with the added value of giving voice to local people has been obtained.