This report considers the current status of upper primary school education in India. It looks at future impacts and recognizes the national level focus on elementary education. The importance of specific contexts in defining how states fulfill their constitutional responsibilities in upper primary education are studied. The report is based upon two studies whose findings include: length, structure & organization vary across and within states
the transition rate between primary and upper primary is high
transition rates and enrollment are lower for girls
school place is provided for current, but not future, demand
private unaided school enrollment is increasing
state qualification policies for teachers are not always relevant to instruction needs
in-service teacher training is very limited
discontinuity exists for curricula and subject weight between primary and upper primary schools
information overloads exist in syllabi, textbooks, and classroom processes
upper primary grades are cheaper when combined within an elementary school
a constitutional requirement for decentralized educational management exists
and expenditures need to increase before universalization of elementary education. Specific recommendations are given. Expansion and improvement of upper primary schooling, as endorsed by the Supreme Court of the Constitution's reference to the provision of education up to 14 years of age, will require both resources and reform.