The Samajshala model proposes the constitution of a School Management Board with a 'healthy representation of women, members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and parents' and expose them to 'how reputed schools function in cities through spot visits'.

Formed in 1987, the Bodh Model - currently underway in the fringe areas in Jaipur and Alwar in Rajasthan - operates through Bodhshalas (community resource schools) that engages the community in education. The implementing body, Bodh Shiksha Samiti, conducts household surveys, weekly and monthly meetings, street performances and film shows to create a conducive environment to provide formal education to children in backward communities.

The Lokmitra community education model operating out of Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh provides education to children in slums.

It has 'introduced participatory governance to improve functioning of government schools through multi-level parents' associations,' Kumar said.

A look at the country's statistics is alarming.

'Forty-two million children in the age-group 6-14 years do not attend school and 16.29 percent schools in the country still do not have two teachers. Uttar Pradesh faces difficulty to provide even a single teacher in 921 primary schools. The average pupil teacher in the backward regions is one teacher for every 80 children, compared to accepted ratio of 1:40. And more than 50 percent children enrolled in primary schools dropout before completing class V,' Kumar said.

The workshop will frame key recommendations Wednesday to present to the state governments and the Centre for a 'more effective grassroots elementary education model'.