Successful implementation of a programme depends on effective monitoring, evaluation and research. Keeping these factors in mind, DPEP, Gujarat, has given top priority to these aspects.

Under DPEP, Programme implementation is followed by Evaluation, which provides a comprehensive picture of strengths, weaknesses and fallouts of specific programmes. Research helps in understanding the effectiveness and problems faced during programme implementation. By pointing at the lapses and the gray areas, it further creates room for imrovement through bringing in rational solutions. It suggests problem- specific rational solutions and contributes to effectiveness.

Action Research is a process by which practitioners attempt to study their problems,scientifically, in order to guide, correct and evaluate their decisions and actions.

The requirement of precision and quantification in basic research creates a pre-occupation with the kinds of problems, which are often not related to crucial problems of practice. Another difficulty is that much of basic research relevant for educational practitioners-teachers, curriculum developers, supervisors- are inaccessible to them. They find it difficult to understand the special research language and thus they relatively use little what is found out. Often useful techniques, facts, ideas in areas other than education are completely out of their reach.

It is also being realized increasingly that ideas and facts are more significant to those who have had a hand in discovering them, and the scientific thinking which is an important part of research process is much needed by those who teach. As teachers are called upon more than ever to develop their own curriculum, they need to think scientifically about curriculum and develop a more adequate way of using research data. Teachers need to learn how to determine rationally what to teach and which method to use. And they need to learn to what to use and how to use the current research data.

For these reasons, the action research to problems of curriculum and teaching is advocated.

Several action researches have been conducted by different individuals and institutions for DPEP as given below.

Till date twenty such Action Researches have been already completed. 100 more are planned during this year.

Areas have been selected by ( State Resource Group) SRG for research. Advertisements for the external agencies to carry out researches have been given. TORs have been sent and proposals have been received by the SPO. Application for 8 more subjects for research and further details have been invited from the scrutinized institutes. After discussion and evaluation of their proposals, various research works will be assigned to the particular institute or individual.

The subjects are mentioned below:

1. Utilization of Teacher’s and Schools grant under DPEP and its effectiveness.

2. Impact of DPEP interventions on enrolment, attendence, and attention of children in primary school.

3. Role and effectiveness of Sub-0district structures, i.e. BRC, CRC, VEC and VCWC, in DPEP.

4. Effect of Activities by Sub-divisional structures on community mobilization.

5. Impact of Teacher’s Training

6. Evaluation of Civil Works (Quality, Usefulness and Effectiveness).

7. Issues in Gender and Tribal education and stratagies to address them and evaluation of the measures.

8. Problems of the Multigrade schools.

Now after the completion of three years, it is necessary to conduct Mid-Term Assessment Survey. GCERT with the help and support of DPEP, Gujarat is conducting MAS in this quarter.

This work was initiated on September 1, ’99 and will be completed on October 18, ’99.

Thus, the Research and Evaluation is functioning on a smooth and steady manner.