Transformational leadership and school consolidation: evidence from Panchayat Elementary Education Officers in Adarsh Vidyalayas

The paper examines the crucial role of Panchayat Elementary Education Officers (PEEOs) in establishing and nurturing Adarsh Vidyalayas following the Rajasthan school merger policy of 2014, which led to the closure of 17,479 primary and upper-primary schools. In response, Adarsh Vidyalayas (worked as School Complexes) were established at the Gram Panchayat level, with PEEOs, serving as principals of Adarsh Schools, managing education at this level by ensuring facilities, teacher accountability, and quality education outcomes. This policy change was aligned with achieving the target of SDG 4, ensuring equitable and quality education outcomes. The study, conducted in 13 Gram Panchayats across three blocks in Jaipur district, aimed to ascertain the role of PEEOs in promoting community participation to ensure access and engagement at the Gram Panchayat level. Employing mixed methods, the findings indicate that PEEOs actively engaged with parents in school development plans, resulting in increased enrollment in Adarsh Vidyalayas. Their involvement not only facilitated better access but also enhanced community engagement and ownership, thereby contributing significantly to the success of the Adarsh Vidyalaya initiative in Rajasthan.