Infrastructure Development in Schools & Primary Health Centres

Chrysalis conducted an independent impact assessment of Project Aakkam and Project Nalam, two CSR initiatives focused on strengthening infrastructure in government schools and Primary Health Centres across Tamil Nadu. The assessment evaluated the relevance, effectiveness, utilization, and sustainability of infrastructure investments designed to improve educational environments, healthcare service delivery, sanitation, hygiene, and access to essential public services in underserved communities. The study covered interventions across five districts and assessed how infrastructure improvements influenced user experience, institutional functionality, and service accessibility over time.

The assessment examined a wide range of infrastructure interventions, including classroom construction, school sanitation facilities, handwashing stations, drinking water systems, healthcare facility upgrades, patient waiting areas, sanitation infrastructure, and building refurbishment works. Chrysalis assessed the functionality, usage, quality, and long-term value of these assets while capturing perspectives from students, teachers, healthcare professionals, community members, government stakeholders, and implementing partners. The study focused not only on physical infrastructure outcomes but also on the extent to which these investments contributed to improved learning environments, healthcare accessibility, hygiene practices, and public confidence in government institutions.

The assessment further explored how infrastructure investments translated into improved service environments and user experiences. By combining field-based evidence with stakeholder perspectives, Chrysalis evaluated the extent to which the interventions strengthened educational and healthcare systems, addressed critical infrastructure gaps, and created enabling conditions for long-term social outcomes. Particular attention was given to the usability, accessibility, maintenance, and sustainability of the assets created under the project.

The assessment was anchored in the OECD-DAC Evaluation Framework, examining the project through the lenses of Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact, Sustainability, and Coherence. Chrysalis also applied a Logical Framework-based evaluation approach to assess the relationship between project inputs, outputs, outcomes, and emerging impacts. The study further analysed alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). In addition, the assessment evaluated convergence with national and state initiatives such as the National Health Mission (NHM), Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and Namma School Namma Ooru Palli (NSNOP).

The assessment found that the infrastructure interventions significantly improved the quality, accessibility, and functionality of public education and healthcare facilities. Upgraded classrooms, sanitation facilities, handwashing stations, and drinking water systems enhanced learning environments, reduced infrastructure constraints, and improved hygiene and safety for students. Within Primary Health Centres, facility upgrades strengthened service environments, improved patient comfort, enhanced accessibility, and contributed to higher levels of beneficiary satisfaction. The study also identified early signs of behavioural change, particularly in student hygiene practices, with positive spillover effects extending into households and communities. Importantly, the assessment highlighted that infrastructure improvements strengthened trust in public institutions and reinforced the utilization of government services by creating safer, more functional, and user-friendly environments. Overall, the findings demonstrated how targeted infrastructure investments can strengthen public systems, improve service delivery experiences, and create the foundational conditions necessary for long-term educational, health, and community development outcomes.