This document summarizes Prafull Kumar Sharma's report on his winter practicum experience at IIM-A. The report details his initial plans to study elementary education from a child's perspective by interviewing students, teachers, and education officials. However, the winter school sessions expanded his thinking on public policy and the complexities involved. He realized the importance of understanding different stakeholder perspectives and considering community involvement. The experience highlighted the need for systematic thinking over linear approaches and sparked reflections on finding one's own purpose and space for interests outside work.

1. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
Practicum Report
Winter School on “Public Policy and Social Change”
Submitted By:
Prafull Kumar Sharma
(http://www.prafullph1130861.blogspot.in)
2nd
year undergraduate student (Engineering Physics)
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

2. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I have always wondered why India is still one of poorest country while government is trying so hard to
improve the conditions. Before coming to the winter school, my belief was that only reason may be
because of lack of awareness. Because of which I started writing Blogs bout social issues. During the
sessions when I used to write my blog I started getting interests in our public Policy. That’s how I got
motivation for applying in this winter school.
During my stay at IIM-A, I got to learn several things which changed my perception about several things.
I got to know about the difficulties in implementing and complexities of public policies. The Reports that
I am going to submit will be just a piece of work which will showcase my work. Also it will be too early to
say that I have learned something. I experienced several things which changed my mind and my
understanding has changed definitely. Actually my further focus is to avail tuition at low cost. I
experienced that children from village have very good focus and practical knowledge. But in the region
due to wrong teaching, they are forced to mug up the things. Till now whatever I have done is presented
to you in this report.
Credits:
I want to thank my friend Abhay Singh for his input and suggestions in this project. Also all the
recordings of interview were done by him. For which I am extremely thankful to him.

3. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
PART-1
I tried to contact several Educationists. Some of them avoided due to some work, some
did give the interview. I have gotten information about some prominent educationists too. Here
are some important details about some of them.
Dr. Sanjayan Tripathi (Managing Director and Founder of Naval’s National Academy)
Naval’s Educational Society is a very active society contributing to better education in
Gorakhpur, established in 1995. It has established 10 schools since the foundation of this
society. He is a very active person in this field. I tried to contact his office but could not fix a
meeting. Though I have managed to get his FB Account id which is:
https://www.facebook.com/sanjayan.tripathi
Mr. Sanjay Kumar Mishra (Principal, Urmil Unique Central Academy, Bhuj)
Mobile contact: 9451687990
Dated: 29/12/2014
Mr. Mishra runs a private school which has recently been granted from C.B.S.E. for
higher secondary education. He is a very active person in this field. He also gives free
education to some unprivileged talented students on his own school funds.
Some of the important points from interview were:
 He said that Government has made a very good curriculum though they have not made
a proper system for them to training of the teachers according to CCE. Teachers are
finding it difficult to complete and implement the pattern in restricted time.
 According to him, “No Failing till class 8th
“ is creating problem for teachers. Some of
students are not taking studies seriously. That’s why parents who want degrees just for
their children to get them in to the job.

4. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
 Nobody ever asked about admission through RTE. He never received any kind of letter
from DEO asking for any admissions for children through RTE.
 He said that he was not able to make a proper system to correct the project and
activities related models. He said that students generally copy the models from others
which is making it ineffective in a sense.I suggested him to use MOSS software which is
also a freeware.
Notable Moment: During one of school visit, I met an old teacher active in this field for 40
years, named Janardhan Mishra. He illustrated me the way of teaching and learning of a kid
summarizing it as “Letting the kid from known to unknown” method. His contact no. is:
9532074326.
Journalists
I have managed to get some information of journalists through a person also in journalism.Here
are some of them:
 Dr. Harsh Kumar Sinha
Professor (Hindi Department, DDU Gorakhpur), BBC Hindi Correspondent (Gorakhpur region)
He has a lot of experience in this field. Also He is a very active and powerful person in
Gorakhpur having interference in education department in good way. You can contact him for
any kind of BSA interviews. I tried to fix an appointment but could not do as he was not in the
city. His mobile contact is: 9935337776, email id: kumarharsh5@rediffmail.com
 Mr. Ajay Sinha, Freelance Reporter
Also Useful person to have contacts of important educationists in Gorakhpur.I
have covered some of them because of his help. His mobile no. is: 9935646268
Note: Also Most of NGOs except “Kisaan Vikas Seva Sansthan, Kauriram” are doing work
on paper. “Kisaan Vikas Seva Sansthan, Kauriram” is doing good work. I personally contacted
two registered NGOs; their presumed office was not there. Also when I contacted them through

5. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
mobile they were not responding properly. When asked about their work and office, they
would cut the phone.
Sanjay Kumar Mishra’s Visiting Card
Typical Fee structure of “Abhinav Vidya Peeth” , one of the schools that I visited.
I found a very good environment in the school. When I talked to Principal Mr. Vyas Mani Mishra
, He said that he himself wants to change the situation of school that’s why even after being age

6. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
of around 70, he goes to school trying to make the school more better. During Discussions, he
pointed out an interesting point about admission to school without any prior test. He said that
considerably good schools don’t have many complexities in teaching as students are admitted
through admission test that makes the class consisting of students of same level. When it
comes to government primary schools or small school in terms of financial capability, they have
to face the challenge to teach the students of different level from different backgrounds.
When asked about reason behind the communication gap b/w students and teachers, he said
that children are having less moral and cultural knowledge which shapes a person’s
communication skills. He was also agreeing with the fact that private school teachers are not
being paid with adequate amount which also distract teacher from work.
He suggested that we should have cultural fests, sport matches that enhance the team
quality in students. It brings more concentration and focus to children that is essential part of
children’s learning.

7. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
Part 2- BIOGRAPHY OF A CHILD
Kartikeya Yadav
I interviewed a family who are migrated from a nearby district living in housing scheme
by State Government. The family of 6 members consists of parents, 2 siblings (brothers).The
only earning member is the father of the child .Kid’s father is a small milk vendor working in
Delhi and the mother has set up a small dairy consisting of one cow .Overall earning of family is
around 10,000(father’s earning 8000 rupees and mother’s 2000 rupees) rupees per month.
Father lives in Delhi for around 10 months. His earning is based on daily wages. His father also
spends around 3000 for his expenses in Delhi. He is able to send only 4000-5000 rupees to his
home.
The middle son Kartikeya studies in 2nd
class in National Children’s School at Gorakhpur.
During the interview Kartikeya expressed his desire to become a police officer. When I asked
him about the reason, He told me that he was inspired by an elder person in his neighborhood

8. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
that he lovingly calls him as “Nana” (a phrase for grandfather in Hindi). He further added that
he is inspired by the way his Nana manages to control the tension and fight b/w two parties or
people. That’s why he likes the job of Police.
I found Kartikeya’s mathematical and logical ability quite promising. I mean, he could
understand mathematics in practical way in class 2.When I further investigated about his
academics, I found that his English aptitude was not good. Also his subjects were taught by 3
teachers with each of them taking 3 subjects on average. When I asked him about the first book
to bring for asking purpose, he brought Hindi textbook which he was able to answer properly.
He said that Hindi is his best subject. But by activities I found his logical aptitude and
mathematical skills very good.
The younger son in LKG standard and elder son in 3rd
standard are studying in the same
school. It costs around 1000 rupees for the family to afford their studies with initial expenses of
around 500 in the first month of admission for books.
When I asked his mother about relevance of his education, she was quite disappointed with
school’s education. When I asked her about Kartikeya’s dream of being a police officer , she
said that she is not very hopeful about that. She said that it would be a great deal for them if his
child manages to get a decent private job.
When I asked her about motivation behind his child’s education, she said that it is a custom to
educate your children. She said that motivation behind his education is that she does not want
him to say that their parents did not give him enough education. What I experienced from this
talk is that first we need to tell them the importance of education. During School visits and
interviews to principle and from my Experiences, one thing was very common that parents do
not support their education with true meaning. I mean I realized treason behind parents not
cooperating schools is that locality and family has not been taught the meaning of education.
I have attached the some clips of the interview taken which will give a more
descriptive idea about the child.

9. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
Here is a link to the google drive in which I have uploaded some videos.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bxp2Jkvg-
61aVURxYi12Rm9FM2c&usp=sharing

10. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
Part 3
(1) Objective of the Study:
The objectives of the study are mentioned as under:
1. To understand the Elementary education from child’s perspective
2. To understand problems in education process in school
(2) Motivation for choosing this topic:
The first one was suggested and emphasized in the winter school. I think that only
changes that anybody can bring in children’s education is a teacher. If we try to understand the
education and change it within the school that would be better because it would help children
get more fun in school with limitations of tuition to those who will really be needy plus school
administration could look after the progress. That’s why I chose the topic.
(3) Initially Intended plan of action:
During the period of winter practicum, I thought that I would focus upon the communication gap
b/w teachers and students. I would also go to village and will ask them about their education ,
plan activities and know more about functioning of primary schools. It was basically to get an
idea about education in a village.
After that I will try to set up an interview with some educationists and region’s DEO,
handing over the draft of that research and discusses the reasons behind the problems.
I will do research in a village named BANKATWA near Gorakhpur district. I will spend
5 days in the village for that then I will end the village related work, then will go to educationists
for discussing the reasons behind the result of my proposed research in village.
Then I intend to go to officers for interviews with my research draft in village and relevant

11. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
points after the discussions with educationists and people who gave some insightful points.
Also I was thinking to file a RTI to ask for the legal data of Primary school which I would
compare with real data on ground, and would inform the same to DEO and responsible person.

12. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
(4)Experiences and Reflections
Overall it was a great experience though. It was quite an eye opener for us. Those
5 days also taught me the importance of community in our culture. Also Last lecture by Ravi
Gulati also emphasized the priority of systematic thinking over linear thinking. Here are some of
the points regarding the winter school.
 I think when I came for winter school; I would never have thought that there could be
several kind of perspective for a policy which previously looked to me very straight. But
during the winter school session, I got to hear and know about several stories and
perspective of my fellow participants.
 Ankur sir said that our motivation behind being here should be for society rather than
IIM-A tag. It gave me a very positive impression of professor Ankur. Amit’s lecture
questioned my thinking about school education. I was thinking that on one hand we are
questioning the schooling while on the other hand we are trying every child to get in to
the schools. I think that Amit’ questions were correct because after Vinay Sir’s
emphasized the learning of a villager, I was quite in agreement that if we set a children
free to think and let them decide design of his own school , we could get more better
education in terms of quality.
 “KATIYAABAAZ” was the best part of that day. It was great start to discuss about
public policy. Director’s Q&A was also good.
 Ankur Sir emphasized the real meaning of how difficult it to design a public policy by
his Cake experiment is. It gave me the idea of how equality can be very complex in a
policy making process.
 Ravi Sir did the best thing in the second day. He showed us the role of community by
such a simple but incredible experiment. He also showed us how even after having so

13. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
many talks communities don’t figure the solution because of the lack of the ideals of
very famous shloka “Vashudhava Kutumbkam”.
 The session by Pavan sir showed me the other view of Naxal Community. His thought
provoked me to think whether we are correct to label the naxal’s as terrorists. He also
made me think about importance of a person’s free space by emphasizing that we should
run away from home at least once.
 Binoy Sir showed us the real problem behind our policy making. We always think of
problems theoretically but often it turns out that problem could be solved easily and in a
much cheaper way if we would have gone and asked the people on ground.
 Anil Gupta Sir’s lecture was another awesome one. His example of little girls was
amazing and I realized his words that those who have chased their dreams are those who
have not let the child inside them grow, were indeed true. He was probably asking us for
having our own space and freedom that a child possesses. I think Ankur Sir’s
introduction of him that he inspires a new way of thinking, was totally reasonable.
 Vinay Sir and Charul Ma’m deserve a really huge round of applause for their work. I
was quite impressed by these people as they had a huge career options. But instead of
that they started doing something that gave them pleasure. Also their depiction of social
issues in songs was really touching. Same applies for Ravi sir who also left his job for
something that gave him happiness, teaching poor kids. I mean both of the examples
teach me that they had kept some space for them that they used for their own interests.
 Finally Winter School concluded too early but it also ended with Ankur and Ravi Sir
emphasizing the motto of winter school to create our own space where we could think
what we can possibly do for what we see as a major problem. That was what we
supposed to do in 10 days practicum. Also Ravi sir’s emphasis on the systematic

14. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
thinking was really another eye opener. In all the sense, it was a quite satisfying and
learning Experience.
For that I am really thankful to Professor Ankur , Aashish Sir and all RTERC members who
were the key people in organizing this incredible.
(5)Finalized plan of action
Now the plan of action is as follows (subject to change based on what response and
experience we get)
 Will start teaching children.
 Will go to schools and will try to gain the trust the gain of school so that can organize
and helping them build activity oriented learning.
 Will request NGOs to work in the field for teaching the communities importance of
education by their unique activities like Nukkad-Naatak etc.
 Will aware and help the children to get admission through RTE.
(6)Results and Conclusions
I think that it was a good start. Now I have started to teach the kids in the locality. Though it’s
not enough but that’s what I could do what was possible in these 10 days.

15. Winter Practicum, RTE Resource Centre, IIM-A
Submitted by Prafull Kumar Sharma
This was typically what i did in my internship. If I have to count my hours it would be more
than 100 hours genuinely excluding the hours that I took to design my practicum work and
the other stuffs. I have attached schedule of winter school. I have also attached the
authorization letter from IIM certifying my work as a research practicum under their
guidance. Here are some images, interviews of my winter school and practicum IIM-A.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5OtUX367LLdZGxVSDNMQUlQdjA&usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bxp2Jkvg-61aVURxYi12Rm9FM2c&usp=sharing
Also, Here are some of the forms that I made to conduct my research.I have attached them in
google drive ,
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bxp2Jkvg-61aMWVLNnppV01tTXM&usp=sharing