Healthcare and education are building blocks to combat poverty and strengthen community development. In tune with empowering the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), the decentralisation of services came under the ambit of PRIs (Zila Parishad). This project is concerned with the PRIs management of health and education services and in identifying gaps in service delivery. The scope of the study covered the functioning of rural dispensaries and schools under the management and control of Zila Parishads and in identifying inputs to strengthen the role performed by PRIs.
Quantitative inputs concluded that more than 20 patients per day are beneficiaries of SHCs. The preventive service was also gaining impetus and importance as reflective in rural people awareness. Consciousness of availing of healthcare services being provided for them exists. Similarly, findings also revealed an overall improvement in enrolment, drop out, migration and success rate of primary school children. But with 43 per cent vacancies for teachers, 89 per cent schools without peons, 66 per cent schools without adequate seating facility for children, primary education is unable to provide a strong foundation for the entire edifice of education system of our country.
