Educating the world's largest tribal population is a challenge for India
In comparison to the rest of the population of our country, the educational picture of the tribal community is rather disheartening.
India is a colourful country comprising a staggering variety of cultures and communities. Each section has it's own needs and requirements and among all, we tend to forget the most sidelined community-- the tribals. India has the world's largest tribal population and it is also the most economically underprivileged in our country. One of the first steps to developing any community is education.
Education is one of the most powerful means of bringing about socio-economic development among scheduled tribes and it cannot be over-emphasised.
Initiatives taken by ministries in tribal education sector:
According to official reports, the Education Division of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources Development and the State Governments/UT Administrations, brought out various schemes with the objective of enhancing access to education in tribal areas by building hostels for ST students.
Possible impact of educating the tribal communities:
India has the single largest tribal population in the world. The one major factor that can bring transformation in the overall condition of this tribal population is education.
- An educated youth is capable of collectively bringing in significant changes and improving the whole community
- Moreover, proper education will not just benefit the tribal population but benefit the entire economy of India
- Furthermore, implementing effective education resources for the tribal community will either bring immediate changes in their state of living or improve their future living conditions
How education can help tribal people:
Education is the only primary agent which can help individuals overcome income barriers, and expand the horizon of the community when it comes to making career choices, personal growth, build confidence, and a sustained development in well-being. It is the most supreme and vital parameter for a better tomorrow of the tribal population.
As a result, many professors and educationists lay prime emphasis on promoting education for all. Even the government has adopted various measures to conduct this practice, thereby adding to the development of the country.
Literacy rate among tribal population:
The literacy rate of a particular country or a state represents and indicates the development of that area and the literacy rate of the tribal population in India is not just considerably low but below average.
Education alone is a chief avenue that will upgrade the economic and social stature of the Scheduled Tribes. Adequate knowledge regarding social responsibilities will help individuals overcome challenges in life without having to feel inferior or under qualified.
At present, the tribal community not just lags behind the general population but is way too behind the Scheduled Caste community in terms of literacy and education attainment.
Literacy rate among women:
If we talk about the tribal women, the disparity is even worse as the Scheduled Tribe women have the lowest literacy rates in India. In spite of the government putting enormous efforts to build equality among both the genders, there is still a clearly visible breach in the literacy rate between the male and female population of the Scheduled Tribe.
These tribes are not just behind in the literacy rate but the overall aspects of development.
Reasons for decline in literacy rate:
Reports suggest that, due to being unaware of the programmes, policies and development schemes that are conducted for their upliftment, the tribal people are unable to participate in any of these.
Education, especially basic education, is believed to be a life saver and a compound catalyst in the development of tribals as it inculcates within them the confidence to deal with people belonging to group's superior to theirs.
What should be done to overcome this issue?
Both authoritative bodies and the eminence of education, if blended effectively, can change the face of the tribal community.
In comparison to the rest of the population of our country, the educational picture of the tribal community is rather disheartening. In the context of the development of the tribal community, factors such as the literacy rate, gender equality, average enrollment ratio and the rate of dropouts from colleges and universities need to be evaluated and taken into consideration. Moreover, the education institutes shape the mindsets of children who attend them and this should be taken into account.
Steps we need to take to improve tribal education:
- For the progress of the tribal community, there is a dire need of educational bodies that blend well with the tribal background and lifestyle
- In the initial stages, the medium of instruction should be one that is familiar to them, and then gradually, they can be encouraged to take up regional languages
- Tribal education should not be restricted to only learning but should evoke the responsibilities of the concerned individual towards his entire community
- Students should be taught to safeguard their own rights as well as the rights of their community and resolve to combat exploitation against their people
Establishment of ISBM University in Chhattisgarh tribal region:
ISBM University is located in the state of Chhattisgarh wherein the population of tribes is substantially higher. However, the state lacks in proper and trusted means of quality education. The absence of excellent quality formal education has been eradicated with the establishment of ISBM University.
Here's what the varsity offers:
- The varsity provides a varied range of skill development programs for the up-liftment of students belonging to Chhattisgarh and all other parts of the country, especially for the tribal community
- The university students the primary amenities and resources which they deserve for their individual development as well as the development of the state
- ISBM University strives to deliver education that is of global competency which would help the recipients broaden their career choices and fulfill their dreams
In December last year, to increase the intake capacity of tribal schools, the Odisha state government decided to upgrade ashram schools to high schools and high schools to higher secondary schools by 2018-19 academic session.
- Authored by Dr Vinay Agrawal; PhD, LLB, the Chancellor at ISBM university
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