Social capital as the catalyst for school participation

This article investigates the association between social capital and education in Jhabua, a tribal dominated district of central India. The case study analysis showed a disconnection between social capital and education in the majority of the villages. However, two of the fourteen villages showed that empowerment of the civil society made formal social organizations like PTAs effective, and also that informal networks play a key role in accountability. This article presents the case that although institutional structures are in place to promote the role of social capital in education, social capital effectiveness depends on a community-based catalyst.