Research Interests: Education law and policy, Regulation, Innovative Financing, Inclusive Education

Completed Research Projects (major role)

• State of the Education Report in India 2019 with a focus on children with disabilities, supported by UNESCO New Delhi
• Connected Learning Initiative (CLIx) – lead the Research team from 2015-2018, designed and conducted action research, impact evaluation, formative assessments/monitoring and study of innovation diffusion processes.
• Justice to Children through Human Rights Institutions in India at the Centre for Child and the Law, National Law School of India University, Bangalore funded by UNICEF India Country Office (Jan 2010 to June 2012) which research on state rules, capacity building and hand-holding of state governments and state commissions for protection of child rights.
• A study on Teacher Service Conditions in Maharashtra for UNICEF Maharashtra and Government of Maharashtra (2015)
• A study on Markets for Pedagogic Materiality in Maharashtra (part of multi-state study on textbook markets) supported by Wipro Applying Thought in Schools (2015).
• A study on Inclusive Education under Right to Education Act in Bengaluru and Delhi in partnership with Azim Premji University and Centre for Social Equity and Inclusion, supported by Oxfam India (2014).
• An evaluation of Multi Grade Multi Level Learning Programme of Chhattisgarh along with Prof Padma Sarangapani for Department of Education, SCERT, Chhattisgarh and UNICEF Chhattisgarh (2012-13)
• A study on Right to Early Childhood Development with Prof. Venita Kaul, CECED, Bharat Ratna B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi (2012)
• A study on Early Childhood Education and International Law supported by ICICI Centre for Elementary Education (2010-11).
• A study on Early Childhood Education in India-Law and Policy supported by ICICI Centre for Elementary Education (2010-11).
• A study of Inclusive Practices in Schools: a compilation of case studies with Seva in Action, Bangalore (2011).
• A Synthesis of research studies carried out under the Bridging Research and Policy Project of the Global Development Network (2005-2006).
• An episode study titled ‘Right to Education and the Constitutional Amendment: a Case Study of India’ for the Global Development Network’s Bridging Research and Policy Programme (January 2004- May 2005).
• Conducted two studies on Integrated Education of the Disabled and Inclusive Education for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Government of Karnataka (2005-07).
• Undertook three commissioned thematic studies for the Baseline Study on Early Childhood for FORCES, Karnataka Chapter in 2003-2004. The studies form three chapters in a monograph titled ‘The Young Child in Karnataka: a Status Report’, published by Karnataka FORCES/PLAN. 

Book Chapters/Co-edited books/Monographs

Bhatta P., Mehendale A. (2021) The Status of School Education in Nepal: Educating the Nation Through Schooling. In: Sarangapani P.M., Pappu R. (eds) Handbook of Education Systems in South Asia. Global Education Systems. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3309-5_16-2

Mehendale A. (2020) School Education Systems and Policies in South Asia. In: Sarangapani P., Pappu R. (eds) Handbook of Education Systems in South Asia. Global Education Systems. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3309-5_49-1

Mehendale A., Mukhopadhyay R. (2020) School System and Education Policy in India. In: Sarangapani P., Pappu R. (eds) Handbook of Education Systems in South Asia. Global Education Systems. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3309-5_13-1

Mehendale, A., (2018) Establishment of CPCR in India – charting the legislative history in Centre for Child and the Law “Essays on Commissions for Protection of Child Rights in India”. Bangalore: National Law School of India University.

Mehendale, A (2018). Aims of Education: an exploratory study of normative articulations in Jain, M., Mehendale, A., Mukhopadhyay, R., Sarangapani, P., and Winch, C. Quality in School Education: Between the State and the Market. New Delhi: Routledge.

Mehendale, A and Mukhopadhyay, R. (2018). Regulatory State and the Diversified Private in Jain, M., Mehendale, A., Mukhopadhyay, R., Sarangapani, P., and Winch, C. Quality in School Education: Between the State and the Market. New Delhi: Routledge.

Mehendale, A (2017). Compulsion to Educate in Kumar, K. (ed) Handbook of Indian Education. New Delhi: Routledge.

Mehendale, A. (2016). “Towards a multi-sectoral legislation for young children: History, Opportunities and Challenges” in Alliance for Child Rights (eds), Rights to the Youngest: Towards a Legal Framework for Early Childhood Development. Bangalore: Books for Change.

Mehendale, A. (2016). Right to Child Care in India- a critical analysis in Nitya Rao (ed), Disciplinary Dialogues on Social Change - Gender, Early Childhood and Theatre. New Delhi: Academic Foundation.

Banerjee, R., Mehendale, A. and Nanjundiah, M. (2011) Understanding Inclusive Practices in Schools: Examples of Schools from India. Published by DDP and Seva in Action, Bangalore.

Mehendale, A. (2008) Isolated Communities and Ignored Claims: tribal children’s rights to education in India in Nanjunda D.C et al, Ignored Claims: Focus on Tribal Education in India.

Livny, E., Mehendale, A. and Vanags, A. (2007) Bridging Research and Policy Gaps in Developing and Transition Countries: Synthesis of Analytical Lessons and Proposals for Action. New Delhi: Global Development Network.

Mehendale, A. (2004) ‘Realities of Child Labour and Contextualizing the Legal Strategy: A Case Study of India’. In: G. K. Lieten, R. Srivastava & S. Thorat (eds.) Small Hands in South Asia. Child Labour in Perspective. IDPAD, Manohar, Delhi.

Journal papers

Mehendale, A., and Mukhopadhyay, R. (2018). Right to Education Movements and Policies: Promises and Realities.  NORRAG News Special Issue 1 (Guest editors).

Rotabi, K. S., Mandayam, G., Manoharan, A., & Mehendale, A. (2018). Building an Effective Child Protection System in India: Integrating a Rights-Based Perspective in Social Work Education Within a Strategy of Developing Professional Association. Journal of Human Rights and Social Work, 1-12.

Mehendale, A., and Raha, S., (2018) Schools as Safe Spaces – where do we stand, Learning Curve. Issue 30, August 2018.

Mehendale, A., Mukhopadhyay, R. (2017) Some Points for Discussion in the Proposal for the Draft National Education Policy, Learning Curve, Issue XXVII, August 2017.

Mehendale, A. (2017) Re-visiting the Delors Report: Lessons for India, Learning Curve, Issue XXVII, August 2017.

Mehendale, A., Mukhopadhyay, R and Namala, A (2015). Right to Education and Inclusion in Private Unaided Schools- an exploratory study in Bengaluru and Delhi in Economic and Political Weekly. Vol L No 7, Feb 14, 2015. pp 43-51.

Mehendale, A (2014). The Question of Quality in Education: does the RTE Act provide an answer? in Journal of International Cooperation in Education Vol 16 No 2 2014. pp 87-103.

Raha, S. and Mehendale, A (2014). Children's Commissions: a case of state apathy. In Economic and Political Weekly Vol XLIX No 3, January 18 pp 17-19.

Mehendale, A. (2010). Model Rules for the Right to Education Act. In Economic and Political Weekly, Vol XLV, No 4, January 23. pp 9-12.

Mehendale, A. (2004). Children's Commission: Re-opening the Debate in Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. XXXIX No. 34, August 21-27, 2004, pp.3791-3793.

Mehendale, A. (2004). Children's Rights: Lessons on Monitoring’ in Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. XXXIX No. 16, April 17-23, 2004, pp. 1568-1570.

Vasavi, A.R and Mehendale, A. (2003) Out-of-School Children and Educational Deprivation. in Journal of Educational Planning and Administration. Vol 17. No 1. pp 69-84.

Mehendale, A. (2002). Child Rights, Child Labour and Education: a study of the legal regime in The Indian Journal of Labour Economics Vol. 45, No. 3, 2002.
 

Working Papers/Reports 

Mehendale, A. and Raha, S. (2020). Schools as Safe Spaces: An Analysis of Public Narratives and Policy Actions in Bengaluru. No.5. Education and the Urban in India Working Paper Series. Max Weber Stiftung India Branch Office.

Mehendale, A. and Singh, A. (2020). India Education Outcomes Fund: A Case Study. NORRAG and TISS. Innovative Finance for Education (IFE) Working Paper 12.

Mehendale, A. (2020). Regulation of Private Schools in India: an analysis of legal frameworks. Oxfam India, New Delhi.

UNESCO (2019) N for Nose: State of the Education in India 2019 – Children with Disabilities (lead researcher from Tata Institute of Social Sciences). New Delhi: UNESCO.

Multigrade Multilevel Programme in Chhattisgarh: An evaluation Report submitted to the State Council for Education Research and Training, Chhattisgarh, (with Padma Sarangapani), 2013.

Handbooks/Manuals

Raha, S., Mehendale, A. and Manoharan, A. (2012) Manual for Commissions for Protection of Child Rights-how to implement the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. Published by Centre for Child and the Law, National Law School of India University. ISBN No: 978-81-925521-6-3.

Mehendale, A (2012) Handbook for Local Authorities on The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act& Grievance Redressal under The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.  Published by Centre for Child and the Law, National Law School of India University. ISBN No: 978-81-925521-9-4

Manoharan, A. and Mehendale, A (2012) Commissions for Protection of Child Rights - Answers to Common Questions Children May Have. Published by Centre for Child and the Law, National Law School of India University. ISBN No: 978-81-925521-7-0

Raha, S. and Mehendale, A (2012). Frequently Asked Questions on the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. Published by Centre for Child and the Law, National Law School of India University. ISBN No: 978-81-925521-8-7

Mehendale, A. (2001). Child Rights and Law in India: a manual for field activists. Published by Save the Children-Canada (English and Marathi).

Current

Mainstreaming Child Labourers in Schools

Innovative Financing in Education

Inclusive Education

Contributions to Policy Work

• Member of CABE Committee set up for drafting The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill (2005) by the Government of India.
• Member of Working Group of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on right to education and child labour legislation in India (2007).
• Invited Expert to discuss formulations with the Sub-Committee on Early Childhood of the CABE Committee for extension of RTE Act to secondary education and pre-school education (2012), Government of India.
• Invited Expert on General Principles on Involvement of Private Actors in Education (Abidjan Principles) (2018-2019).

Course Development and Teaching

 1. Developed the course on Education Policy, Institutions and Practices for MA. (Elementary Education) at TISS Mumbai (2005-07) and taught it until 2017.

2. Developed two courses on Action Research and Digital Tools for Research to be offered for Integrated M.Phil/PhD (Practice based) at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (2016).

3. Co-developed course on School Education: Policies, Institutions and Practices for B.Ed. Program and M.Ed. program at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (2016).

4. Co-developed P.G. Certificate Programme on Contemporary Education Perspectives and Research Methods at TISS Mumbai (2014-15) for education administrators and teacher educators.

5. Co-developed and taught a course for research scholars on Changing Role of Public and Private in School Education: Focus on Regulation (2015) with Azim Premji University and King’s College London under the UGC-UKIERI Thematic Partnership.

6. Co-developed, co-directed and taught at the summer school on Public and Private in Education through an inter-university collaboration with support from Indian Council for Social Science Research.