King's College London

This historical study draws on archival research and interviews with key policy actors to explore the diffusion of global education policies in India, with a focus on the World Bank-funded District Primary Education Project (DPEP), which was rolled out following the launch of the global Education for All (EFA) initiative in 1990. That period is crucial for understanding the rise of the World Bank into the key shaper of education policies in developing countries, which led to a focus on primary education, at the expense of a broader vision of education, called for by other stakeholders, such as UNESCO. In light of the continued influence of the World Bank and global development agendas, on the education landscape in India, this study will yield insights into the implications of global policy influences and the intersections between global and national dynamics of policy-making.