The film captures the Shikshana Grama Sabha - a process initiated by Prajayatna (Citizens' Initiative) to elicit people's participation in the educational system. The Shikshana Grama Sabha is a community meeting facilitated by Prajayatna to share information generated through the School Information Campaign - a comprehensive primary database of all government schools in the six districts of Karnataka where Prajayatna works at present - enabling people to identify issues facing the school and take informed decisions & action regarding educational resources and plans.

The film outlines the impact Shikshana Grama Sabhas have shown in initiating educational reform and the formation of Citizens' Action Groups as a structure for participation - to reflect people's aspirations and follow up on decisions at the local level towards educational reform. The film reflects strengthening of the issue of governance at the local level with increased interaction between communities and institutions of local self-governance taking the demand for accountability and enhanced performance beyond the realm of education to other developmental issues

The film is produced by Prajayatna, a programme of MAYA and has been filmed in six districts of Karnataka; Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Mysore, Chitradurga, Bellary and Bijapur.

Director: Natesh Ullal

copy right : MAYA, July 2001

The film is 20 minutes long and has been produced in Kannada (the local language of Karnataka, India) with English sub-titles. The film is available in VHS (PAL) and CD(PAL) formats at a price of Rs 200/-. For broadcast purposes the file is available in Mini DV (PAL), HI- Band, U-matic and Betacam, all in PAL versions, at a price of US$250/- (outside India) and Rs 5000/- (within India). Contact Prajayatna - Karnataka for ordering your copy. Additional /current information around the issues in the film may be obtained from us.