Given the present pace of transferring the managements of government schools to the communities, it is highly unlikely that the government will be able to meet its target on time. By the end of the Tenth Five-Year Plan — that is by mid-2007 — the government plans to transfer the managements of 8,000 schools, but since 2002, when the plan came into force, only 2,281 schools have been handed over. This fiscal year alone, the government plans to transfer 2,000 schools, but, half-way through the year, it has succeeded with only 10 per cent of them (200). The reason given for the slow pace is the threat of the pro-Maoist student organisation, the ANNIFSU (Revolutionary), as well as the protests of the teachers’ un-ions, though many communities appear willing to take charge. This is where the government has to intervene and provide a conducive environment. It could have sorted out the difference with the teachers’ unions if it had consulted them at the policy formulation stage and addressed their concerns.

The government should involve all the stakeholders while formulating any policy if it is to avoid problems later on, e.g. at the implementation stage. Though the idea of community management of schools is a good one — in fact, it had existed before the introduction of the failed New Education Plan more than thirty years ago — the government has given the impression that it is trying to shy away from its responsibility. Mere transfer may even prove to be worse if it is not backed with the government’s long-term commitment to assist the schools, e.g. by a regular financial contribution, to make sure that cheap and quality education is provided to the poor. Certainly, the community can manage schools far better than the red tape-bound and unaccountable government officials. There is even the possibility of overcoming Maoist objections by ensuring that the government is not giving up its responsibility in handing over the schools.