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The number of English-medium low-cost private schools (LCPS) is increasing in India. Such schools are typically attended by children from economically disadvantaged families. This study, based on primary surveys in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), finds low learning achievement for the English subject at the primary level of children attending such schools. Learning deficit in English remains hidden during students’ progress through the primary level. Further, low learning achievement for English has negative implications for other non-language subjects too, since the medium of instruction, language for textbooks and the medium of answering examinations for these subjects is English. Children’s ability to comprehend what they read and their ability to communicate in English get little attention in the teaching process. This also has an adverse impact on social equity with poor parents spending considerable money to access an education for their children, the outcome of which is poor.

A rise in female work participation in the urban sector creates a vacancy for care work at the household level and triggers a second round of job creation for females. In order to explore whether this process gives rise to decent employment for the female domestic workers (FDWs), a primary survey was conducted among domestic workers in the cities of Delhi, Noida, Kolkata and Asansol. The workers surveyed are, by and large, in low-wage, precarious employment, without social security and have an exhausting routine of work inside and outside the home. Apart from the lack of job security, sickness and disease also add to the uncertainty. Given the double burden of income-earning work and own domestic work, the FDW is crucially dependent on her health and strength, and often incurs health-related expenditure. But they contribute to their household income and have some autonomy in household decision-making. The informal working conditions for these workers, the need for social security and their low wage levels are all areas that need serious attention from policy-makers. Health insurance and pension plans would benefit the domestic workers, given that their work involves a requirement for robust health and the strength that youth brings with it.

Private schools account for a high and rising share of school enrolment at the elementary level in India. Among various types of private schools, low cost private schools (LCPS) are a segment which charge relatively low fees compared to other private schools. However, the students attending such schools are typically from households in low economic strata and with poor educational levels. This commentary shows how even the "low" fees charged in such schools account for a substantial share of the earnings of these families, given their limited earning ability. The commentary is based on a primary survey based in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).

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