The European Commission (EC) has issued a call for proposals for Indian organizations working for improving the quality of elementary education in the country under the “Exchange of International Best Practices in Education” – Actions in India and Overseas – “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan” (SSA II) for Universalizing Elementary Education, INDIA. The SSA II was launched in 2001 by the Government of India with the funding support of the European Commission, DFID and the World Bank for the universalization of elementary education. Although substantial improvements have been recorded in this program, yet the desired results have not yet been achieved particularly in certain states such Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa. However, continuous reforms have been undertaken by the government for improving the quality of primary education and improve enrolment of children, including girls and prevent drop-out rates. As part of these reforms, the government has identified two important areas for managing primary education. These are: “Strengthening teacher cadre and career management systems to address effective structures and processes for teacher recruitment, development, ongoing skill upgradation, performance assessment and teacher accountability;” and “Strengthening processes to address practices for effective school management and autonomy, including decentralization, and aspects of school leadership with focus on quality
improvements.”
As these areas are also part of the EC’s “Exchange of International Best Practices in Education,” the focus of the funding is “to reinforce the long term impact and sustainability of quality improvement initiatives focusing on teachers and schools in SSA II.” Activities under this funding program include organizing exchange visits for national and state representatives to the EU, preparing inventory of best practices in education from various countries, including the EU, bringing in EU policymakers to workshops and seminars in India, developing reports on best practices and producing publications. The total amount allocated for the program by the EC is around €3,000,000 and minimum and maximum budgets are fixed between €2,750,000 and €3,000,000.
Applicants need to registered at PADOR before applying for this grant opportunity. Detailed information on how to register at PADOR is available at this link. Applications will include both the Concept Note and the Full Proposal. However, initially only Concept Notes will be evaluated after which the proposals will be reviewed. Applications have to be submitted in hard copy either by hand or post/courier at the EC office in New Delhi, India. The last date for submitting applications is 25 September 2009. For more information, visit this link.
