Democratic Decentralization and Primary Education - A Comparison of Continuity and Change in Two Districts of Kerala (India)

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

The paper examines democratic decentralization in Kerala, India, by comparing continuity and change in primary education across two districts. It analyzes the state-level policy known as the People’s Campaign for Decentralized Planning (PCDP), introduced in 1996 through a “big bang” and “bottom up” approach that transferred powers and resources abruptly. The study situates PCDP within Empowered Deliberative Democracy, emphasizing citizen decision-making and deliberative problem-solving. Conclusions focus on how to initiate and sustain decentralized educational change in Kerala.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Democratic Decentralization and Empowered Deliberative Democracy in Kerala

PCDP as a decentralization policy introduced in 1996

Institutional mechanisms and participation

Primary Education: Continuity and Change in Two Districts

Village Panchayats (LSGIs) in Kannur and Kasaragod

Local Self Government Institutions and Historical Context

Evolution of Panchayati Raj Institutions

Asia Pacific Education Review Copyright 2003 by Education Research Institute 2003, Vol. 4, No. 1, 27-38. Democratic Decentralization and Primary Education: A Comparison of Continuity and Change in Two Districts of Kerala (India) Mukundan. M. V. The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, China Adopting policies of decentralization has become more or less a universal fashion among governments. Institutional redesigning as regard to affirmative state is favored by the political left and right in capitalist democracies. However, their arguments revolve around the decision-making powers of ordinary citizens. Some academics argue that the “People’s Campaign for Decentralized Planning”(PCDP) introduced in 1996 in Kerala, the south western state of India, is an extended version of democratic decentralization. They also describe it as Empowered Deliberative Democracy (EDD) . Through a comparison of continuity and change aspects in the field of primary education based on programmes carried out in two districts of Kerala (India), this paper analyzes the democratic decentralization policy initiated in the state. The paper concludes with insights related to the need for theredefinition of the process of initiating and sustaining educational changes in a decentralized fashion in Kerala. Key Words: decentralization, prinary education, empowered deliberative democracy The concept of decentralization as a developmental strategy has sparked off a renewed interest in institutions of governance in diverse economic and political environments. The vast literature on the concept of decentralization offers normative definitions of the term (Adams, 2002; Bray, 1999; Crook & Manor, 1998, p. 4) as well as technical and theoretical perspectives about it (Adams, 2002; Asian Development Bank, 2001; Bray 1999; Bullock & Thomas, 1997; de Vries, 2000; Dillinger, 1994; Eaton, 2001, p. 101; Lauglo & McLean, 1985; Manor 1999; Parker, 1995; Rondinelli, 1981; Smith, 1985) . Political or democratic decentralization involves assigning power to make decisions Mukundan. M. V., Senior Lecturer, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), General Education Department, Government of Kerala,Kannur District, Kerala State, India. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to ‘Haripriya’, Kanhirangad. P. O., Pin:670142, Taliparamba (Via), Kannur District, Kerala State, India. Electronic mail may be sent to mvmukund @[hotmail.com](hotmail.com). about developmental aspects to citizens or to their representatives at lower levels of government. This paper focuses on a state level developmental policy in Kerala, the southwestern state of India, intended for the transformation of the entire state administration. The decentralization policy was introduced in the state within a‘big bang’ as well as ‘bottom up approach’ with abrupt transfer of powers and resources. Through the implementation of the democratic decentralization process which was popularly known as the “People’s Campaign for Decentralized Planning” (PCDP) in 1996, the then leftist government in Kerala tried to substitute it for democratization at the local level, and a safe way to acquire much needed legitimacy and grassroots support. They even described it as “Empowered Deliberative Democracy”(Fung & Wright, 1999, 2001; Thomas Isaac & Franke, 2000) which according to its tenets, emphasizes the importance for the words of ordinary individuals, which are capable of making real differences in governmental actions. Hence the term “empowered” is used. Solutions for complex problems are sought out through discussions, debates and collaborative exploration. Thus it is Mukundan, M. V. described as “deliberative”. Local control is considered as the basic idea of EDD. In order to supplement local control, EDDalso suggests the basic notion of central control officiated through proper training, technical assistance, sharing innovations and lessons to remedy the impediments in local

FAQs

What is the main focus of the paper on decentralization in Kerala?

The paper focuses on how democratic decentralization policy operates in Kerala, especially in primary education, and compares continuity and change across two districts.

What does the paper describe as the key decentralization initiative introduced in 1996?

It describes the People’s Campaign for Decentralized Planning (PCDP), introduced in 1996, as a major initiative for transforming local administration through decentralization.

How does the paper connect decentralization to Empowered Deliberative Democracy (EDD)?

It explains that PCDP is framed in terms of EDD, emphasizing the importance of ordinary individuals’ words in making real differences, and using discussion and collaborative exploration to address complex problems.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda