Research project on Education for Rural Transformation has awarded to the M. S. University of Baroda

The M. S. University of Baroda has awarded a research project on “ Education for Rural Transformation: Ground Realities and Challenges” from Mahatma Gandhi National Centre for Rural Education (MGNCRE), Ministry of Education, Government of India. Prof. K. Pushpanadham, Professor of Educational Management and Head (offg) at the Department of Educational Administration, Faculty of Education and Psychology has awarded a grant of Rs. 5.5 laks for the period of 17 months.

Transformation of Aspirational Districts" was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister in January, 2018 with the aim of expeditiously improving the socio – economic status of 112 districts that were identified from across 28 States in a transparent manner through cooperative & competitive federalism. Driven primarily by the States, this initiative focuses on the strengths of each district and prioritizes the attainable outcomes for immediate improvement, while measuring progress and ranking the select districts. The main focus of the programme was to quickly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts of the country.  

The Project Director (Prof. K. Pushpanadham) has mentioned that despite of unprecedented growth in world economies and unparalleled improvements in global standards of living over the past few years, poverty and hunger are still realities in several countries. Indeed more than 60 per cent of the world’s poor are rural poor. One of the major inequalities affecting the rural poor is their unequal access to quality education, which is very important for social and economic development. Any attempt to readdress the challenges of increasing inequity, poverty and widening human development gaps is possible through access to relevant, equitable and effective education of our rural people.

"Education for Rural Transformation (ERT) is the only way to reduce the widening human development gaps within and between nations. This research project aims to study  Education as a Catalyst for rural transformation-Access, Equity, Quality sustainability and transformation,  identify the good practices and success stories of Education for Rural Transformation, analyze the functioning, key elements of success, Issues and challenges of education for Rural Transformation and Develop an inclusive and integrated framework of Education for Rural Transformation," he said. 

"There are 6 indictors in Transformation of Aspirational Districts programme and Education is one of the major indicators along with the Health & Nutrition, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion, Skill Development and Basic Infrastructure. In this project, we will critically analyse the educational opportunities for lifelong learning, skill development for employability and economic sustainability among the rural Gujarat. Narmada and Dahod districts are identified as Aspirational districts in Gujarat," he said.