The Odisha government recently revealed plans to establish three mega educational complexes tailored explicitly for tribal students. These complexes aim to hone both academic and sporting skills of the students, marking a unique initiative in the field of tribal education in India.
Establishment and Key Features of the complexes
The mega educational complexes are set to be established in tribal-dominated districts including Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Mayurbhanj, where Santal and Bhuyan are the predominant tribal groups. The initiative seeks to accommodate approximately 3,000 tribal students in each complex, providing them with top-tier facilities to enhance their educational and sporting abilities from Standard I to XII. These state-of-the-art establishments represent the peak of current developmental advancements and techniques in education and sports science.
Funding for the Mega Complexes
Funding for the construction and maintenance of these mega educational complexes will majorly come from the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC), created to foster development in mineral-rich districts. It’s noteworthy that most of these mineral-abundant districts are primarily inhabited by tribes.
Tribal Demographics in Odisha
Based on the 2011 Census, tribal people account for 8.6% of India’s total population i.e., over 104 million people. Tribal populations in Odisha alone constitute 9.17% of India’s total tribal populace and 22.85% of the state’s entire population. This puts Odisha as the third-highest state in India for tribal population percentage, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Odisha is also home to a diverse range of tribal communities. There are 13 of the total 75 particularly vulnerable tribal groups in India residing in Odisha. Among districts, Keonjhar houses the most diverse tribes and is the most mined district of the state, holding more than 70% of Odisha’s iron ore reserves.
Current Educational Initiatives for Tribal Students in Odisha
Several educational schemes are currently operative for tribal students. These include the Eklavya Model School, a Residential School based on the Navodaya Model; Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme (RGNF), initiated in 2005-2006 to motivate ST community students to pursue higher education; Vocational Training Center in Tribal Areas for developing the skills of ST students; and the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme, offering financial aid to students aiming for overseas PhD and postdoctoral studies.
The Way Forward
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has outlined several areas of focus to enhance the educational landscape for tribal populations. Awareness campaigns, including street drama, camps counselling sessions, are planned to instigate attitudinal change among parents regarding the importance of education. Emphasis will also be placed on career or job-oriented courses and hiring local teachers who are familiar with tribal culture, practices, and indigenous languages. The Kothari Commission and XaXa Committee have both stressed the need to eliminate gender disparity in education and pay special attention to the education of scheduled tribes.