The tribal communities living within Kerala’s Wayanad district are fast-progressing towards a full 100% literacy rate. The Scheduled Tribes President under Article 342 holds the power to acknowledge communities as scheduled tribes, while the possibility of amending this list is vested in Parliament through law. As per the Census conducted in 2011, tribes constitute approximately 8.6% of the total Indian population, with only 58.96% recognised as literate.
Challenges in Tribal Education
Education is a significant transformative agent driving development. It is an important input not just for the economic advancement of tribes, but also strengthens tribal communities from within, equipping them to tackle life’s challenges. However, there are several hurdles faced by the tribal community in their pursuit of education:
Language Barrier
One of the significant challenges in tribal education is the medium of instruction. Curriculum and teaching modules are typically designed in the official or regional language which might be unfamiliar to tribal students, causing difficulty in comprehension and learning.
Economic Constraint
The economic condition of tribal people often is dire which makes it challenging for them to afford to spare their children from labour and allow them to attend schools instead.
Issue of Teacher Absenteeism
Teacher absenteeism is a regular issue in remote tribal areas, which severely impacts the quality of education provided.
Parental Attitude Towards Education
Since education does not provide immediate economic return, tribal parents often prefer their children to pursue remunerative employment contributing to the family income.
Infrastructural Hurdles
Most schools in tribal areas lack basic infrastructural facilities. They often lack teaching learning materials, study resources and proper sanitation facilities.
Key Facts in Tribal Education
| Total Tribal Population (As of 2011) | 8.6% |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate Among Tribes | 58.96% |
| Scheduled Tribes President Power Under Article 342 | Designate communities as scheduled tribes |
Government Intervention and Recommendations
To address these challenges, the government has taken various initiatives. The Eklavya Model School is a residential project based on the Navodaya Model, with the goal of operation in every tribal block by 2022. The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme (RGNF) was introduced in 2005-2006 to stimulate ST community students to seek higher education. Vocational Training Centers aim to develop the skills of ST students according to their qualifications and prevalent market trends.
Commissions like the Kothari Commission have stressed the need for special attention to be given to the education of the Scheduled Tribes(ST). Similarly, the XaXa Committee emphasised the importance of eradication of gender disparity in education. Awareness campaigns such as street dramas and counselling sessions can help bring about an attitudinal change in parents. More emphasis should be put on career or job-oriented courses. Teachers who are familiar and respectful towards the tribal culture and language should be recruited from local areas.