Social Science division of IRTC is a recent initiative started in 2014. The core objective of the division is to bring a technology- society interface and support other divisions to develop socially relevant technology interventions and to understand their social impact. It also undertake research activities in the areas of marginalization, education, local area development and livelihood of the marginalized community. The division has got extensively involved in the watershed development plan preparation and waste management DPR preparation of Local Self Governments in collaboration with NRM and SWM divisions of IRTC respectively.
Since its inception, tribal development has been a core area of intervention of the social science division. It has undertaken research and development projects funded by Kerala Local Self Government Service Delivery Project (KLSGSDP) supported by World Bank. Policy studies and action research programmes are being carried out with the support of Kerala State Planning Board and international agencies such as UNICEF. Training impact assessment of Kerala Institute of Local Administration is yet another involvement.
The division has offered training programmes on research methodology and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). It has led an initiative to form a research scholar’s collective in Kerala and organised workshops on Research Methodology under the collective. It has also provided project guidance and internship to more than 150 students in a short duration of five years. The SSD has also taken initiatives for preparing monographs and publications of IRTC, which are of public interest.
The major projects undertaken by the Social Science Division includes DPR preparation for backward panchayat (World Bank-KLSGSDP), Evaluation of Model Residential Schools in Kerala (Kerala State Planning Board), Evaluation of Child Friendly Local Governance Programme and Training on Urban Governance (KILA), Youth Employment Training Programme at Attappady (Integrated Tribal Development Project), Luca Online science quiz, Padanodhyanam– an educational intervention for tribal students, Documentation of the interventions of District Panchayat in Secondary Education in Thrissur District (UNICEF).
Research Study on the Implementation of MGNREGS In Kalpetta Block of Wayanad District
Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Act (2005) is an Indian Labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the “Right to work”. It was envisaged that, apart from providing social equity, MGNREGA could protect the environment, empower rural women, reduce rural-urban migration and fostering social equity. Click Here for more details.
Developing Strategies and Action Steps for Improving the Performance of District Panchayats on Secondary Educations in Kerala
(A project supported by United Nations Children’s Fund)
The project is an attempt to document the interventions of District Panchayat in secondary education in Kerala. The project is implemented as a collaborative initiative of the Kerala State Planning Board (KSPB), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Integrated Rural Technology Center IRTC. Click Here for more details