The Partnership Between Government and NGOs to Improve Public Education

S. C. Behar, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), shares his experiences and observations regarding the partnership between government and NGOs in the context of improving public education. As the Secretary of Education in Madhya Pradesh, Behar aimed to extend a successful science education program called “Kishore Bharati” throughout the state. To achieve this, he conceptualized an autonomous NGO called Eklavya, which drew inspiration from Kishore Bharati’s approach. Eklavya received financial support from the Department of Science and Technology. Behar characterizes the government as a “multi-headed hydra” or “Ravana” based on Indian mythology. NGOs struggle to maintain autonomy within government structures and People behind Kishore Bharati doubted the feasibility of making a government organization autonomous. Despite challenges, Eklavya emerged as an effective NGO working in the field of education. Post-independence, NGOs inspired by Gandhian ideals existed, but a new wave emerged in the 1950s driven by Nehruvian ideals and optimism for nation-building through partnerships. Effective collaboration requires understanding the government’s complexity and finding ways to work within it. NGOs play a vital role in complementing government efforts to provide quality schooling for all.