85If effective then natural justice and equity would extend this arrangement, and
the associated payment of fees etc., to all orphans rather than a few. It would
also recognise the differing circumstances likely to affect HIV/AIDs orphans
and “left behind” children who may effectively be orphans. It is clearly not
equitable that some orphan siblings receive benefits and some do not. If the
objective is to integrate orphans into main stream society to lead normal lives
separate classes for orphans may or may not be the best mechanism, there needs
to be a stronger rationale than simply the availability of limited sponsorship.
Other forms of financial, medical and emotional support should be considered.- Accelerating the boarding school programme and closing or merging more
small schools may increase enrolment and progression. However, there may
be limits to the extent to which it is cost effective and educationally benefi-
cial. School mapping can identify the degree to which boarding can and should
replace efficient day schooling. The conditions may be changing as infrastruc-
ture improves and it becomes possible to link remote communities to the main-
stream by using information technologies. The impact of childless villages on
communities should be considered, and so should the accelerated urbanisation
of the area and the impact that has on agricultural productivity. - The direct and indirect costs of schooling in Zhaojue remain significant. Though
the abolition of tuition fees and textbook charges is helpful, and the subsidy to
the poorest essential; it appears that this is not sufficient to provide incentives
and cover costs for the poorest,. living on the margins of the cash economy. In
addition if district and central primary school authorities retain some of the per
capita subsidies destined to support the poorest schools and communities this
may also limit the impact of the existing measures. If all Yi children are to com-
plete nine years of education, those currently failing to do so who are dispropor-
tionately from the poorest communities, will need to have all costs met. - Full participation also requires more investment in physical infrastructure.
Inadequate buildings remain, especially in villages. In the worst cases these may
have little or no furniture, poor quality construction, lack of light, heating and
electricity, clean water, and sanitation. They may also have few textbooks and
learning aids. Some village schools are receiving assistance from non govern-
ment organizations and other benefactors. Under the current commitments to
fully fund nine year compulsory education this should not be necessary. - Demographic changes will continue in Zhaojue and need anticipating in order
to establish how much schooling to provide, in which locations and at which
level. Urbanisation is resulting in growing demand in the county town and some
larger villages along communication routes. Some rural settlements are shrink-
ing as their inhabitants move to new villages. Outward migration, of young peo-
ple looking for work is also likely to continue and in some years seems to have
had a substantial impact on enrolments, especially at junior secondary level.
The birth rate appears to be high but may fall amongst the growing numbers of
town dwellers. Balancing supply and demand for places will require consistent
planning informed by good quality data on the dynamics of enrolment.
4.7 Concluding Comments