A Study of the Impact of Social Mobilization at the Stage of Primary Education in Rural Areas of Punjab

The article is based on a study conducted to examine the impact of social mobilization at the stage of primary education in the rural areas of Punjab. The sample was composed of 85 community primary schools working under the Punjab Rural Support Program (PRSP)-Multan. A survey with the help of a social organizer of PRSP-Multan was conducted to calculate cost per student per year during the session 2004-05. The technique used was the “Cost Benefit Analysis” to find the cost per student of Government primary school as well as the community schools run by PRSP in Punjab. It was found that this cost is one-third to the cost per student studying in Government primary schools. On the basis of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) conducted by PRSP, there were a number of non-tangible benefits. It was concluded that cost per student can be reduced by Government to one third with the help of social mobilization which will ultimately improve confidence, modesty and curiosity of the children.