The Kalikayatna Approach towards Primary Education: A Study of the Learning Initiative of Prajayatna

This paper attempts to study and evaluate the strengths and limitations of an alternative approach to learning -the Kalikayatna approach -that has been implemented in selected clusters in five districts in Karnataka. While Karnataka is considered one of the educationally advanced states and stands somewhere in the top quintile in terms of inter-state comparisons for most indicators on education, poor learning outcomes remain a serious concern, as do urban-rural gaps in literacy. The study attempts to explore what the Kalikayatna approach offers, both vis-à-vis other educational developments and practices that are already underway in the state, as well as with the larger goal of understanding how the approach can cater to addressing some of the problems associated with quality and equity.