This paper evaluates an attempt in Andhra Pradesh to improve the outreach, quality and accountability of educational, health and Early Childhood Development services by involving parents closely in their monitoring and management. Participatory Education Committees and Mothers' Committees were established in the context of a growing concensus in national and international policy circles that decentralisation and community participation are critical for improved coverage, responsiveness and quality of public services.
Nicola Jones, Madhuri Mukherjee and S. Galab