(a) whether the Government has tried to ascertain the factors affecting the growth of
education among Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes dominated and poverty ridden
areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any mechanism has been set in place to improve the level of education and
facilities in these areas; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT
(DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)
(a)& (b): In 2012,the Ministry of Human Resource Development, got an assessment of
the facilities available as per Right to Education (RTE), 2009 norms for primary and
upper primary education in rural tribal areas of nine states namely- Assam,
Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan and
the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh by Jamia Millia Islamia. The study found that
90% or more habitations had the facility of primary education within a distance of 1 km
and 91% habitation had the facility of upper primary education within 3 km, there was
wide variation across states in the percentage of schools in terms of facilities such as
availability of playground, 90% schools had School Management Committee (SMCs),
and regular medical check-up of students; the percentage of female teachers was below
50%, the percentage of ST teachers varied between 6.0% and 30% in different States.
As per RTE norms, percentage of schools with Pupil Teacher Ratio(PTR) below 30 in
schools, is quite high in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and
Rajasthan. The facilities of girls’ toilets, ramps, drinking water were available in more
than 95% of schools located in ST predominant areas of Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. The
percentage of schools having library facility was much lower in the sampled schools as
compared to all the schools in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Rajasthan.In almost 98% of schools, free textbooks were being
provided by the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).About two-thirds of schools receive
uniforms from SSA. 82.4% schools under SSA receive Mid-Day Meal (MDMs)
In 2013, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs conducted an evaluation study through
the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad, to evaluate the
educational schemes funded by them in Maharashtra and the erstwhile state of Andhra
Pradesh. The study inter-alia observed that there was inadequate infrastructure in the
Hostels and Ashram Schools for ST students and their poor maintenance. Though the
scholarships were motivating the parents to send their children to school and the
schemes were also helping the students to continue their education, the quantum of
scholarship money was inadequate and there was a significant delay in disbursement of
the same.
(c) & (d): I. To improve the level of education and facilities for Scheduled Castes(SCs)
and Scheduled Tribes(STs) students, the Ministry of Human Resource Development
has taken several initiative which are as under:-
Under SSA, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, in association with States and UTs for
universalization of elementary education for all children in the age group of 6 to 14
years in the country,bridging gender and social category gaps in elementary education is
one of the major goals and districts with 25% and above population of SCs and STs are
considered as Special Focus Districts (SFDs).Under SSA facilities are being extended to
SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) at elementary level for text books,
uniform, MDM, fee reimbursement, Kasturba BalikaVidhyalya which have residential
facility within upper primary schools SwachVidhyalya initiative. Besides, section 12(1)
(c) of RTE Act provides 25% reservation in private unaided schools to children
belonging to disadvantaged weaker sections.
Under Rashtriya Madhaymik Siksha Abhiyan(RMSA) the districts with high
concentration of population of SCs and STs have been identified as Special Focus
Districts (SFDs),based on criteria of SCs and STs population of 25% and above. Total
61 districts have been identified as SC concentration districts and 109 districts have
been identified as ST concentration districts. Under RMSA, the interventions such as
opening of new schools strengthening of schools, construction of girls hostel,
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools, provision of vocational
education have been made in SC, ST concentration districts. Besides providing access
through physical infrastructure, other steps taken for improving enrolment and
reducing dropout of students include provision of learning enhancement programme
for weak students, enrolment and retention drives, guidance and counseling
programmes, self-defence training for girl students, provision of separate toilets for
girls, residential quarters for female teachers in remotely located areas etc.The facilities
being extended to SC, ST and OBC Students in the country are through various
schemes.
Besides, University Grants Commission (UGC) has been implementing various
scholarship/fellowships schemes wherein financial assistance to selected candidates
belonging to SC/ST categories is provided for pursuing Post-Graduation,
M.Phil./Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral research and on full time/ regular basis in
Universities/Institutions/Colleges in India. Many of these schemes are funded by
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs and
implemented by UGC like :-P.G. Scholarship for Professional Courses for SC/ST
candidates, National Fellowship for Scheduled Castes Students, National Fellowship
for Higher Education of ST Students, Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST. The
beneficiaries of these scheme are paid fellowship on DBT platform by designated
branches of Canara bank through Public Financial Monitoring System (PFMS)
II. The following Schemes pertaining to SC students are implemented by M/o
Social Justice & Empowerment:-
(i) Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC students studying
in Class IX/X (Pre-matric IX and X), to support education of SC students with
parents falling within income ceiling of Rs. 2.00 lakhs p.a.
(ii) Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for SC students to
support education of SC students with parents Income ceiling if Rs. 2.50 lakhs
p.a.
(iii) Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship to the Children of those
engaged in occupations involving cleaning and prone to health hazards No
income ceiling.
(iv) Central Sector Scholarship Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc.
candidates to support education of SC students with parent’s income ceiling is
Rs. 6.00 lakhs p.a.
(v) Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for SC students to pursue higher
studies such as M.Phil and Ph.D. Implemented through UGC. No income
ceiling prescribed.
(vi) Scheme for Free Coaching for SC and OBC students to support education of SC
students with parent’s income ceiling Rs. 6.00 lakhs p.a.
(vii) Central Sector Scheme of Upgradation of Merit for SC students (in classes IX to
XII) (provides facilities to upgrade merit by education in residential and nonresidential
schools).
(viii) Central Sector Scholarship Scheme of Top Class Education for SC students (for
SC students for pursuing study beyond 12th class.). Total income ceiling of family
from all sources should not exceed Rs. 4.50 lakhs p.a.
(ix) BabuJagjivan Ram ChhatrawasYojna (BJRCY) provides Central Assistance for
creation of hostel facilities to SC boys and girls studying in middle schools,
higher secondary schools, colleges and Universities to the State
Governments/UT Administrations, Central/State Government
institutions/NGO/Deemed Universities.
(x) Assistance to voluntary Organisation working for the welfare of SCs wherein
Grants-in-aid is released to NGOs/VOs working in the field of education,
healthcare, skill development etc.
III. The following schemes pertaining to Scheduled Tribes are implemented by
Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
(i) Pre Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST students to support education of ST
students whose parent’s annual income is below Rs. 2 Lacs.
(ii) The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme to support education of ST students at
Post Matriculation level including technical and professional studies whose
parents annual income is below Rs. 2,50,000/-.
(iii) National Overseas Scholarship to provides financial assistance to selected
students 17 ST, 3 particularly vulnerable Tribal Groups, to pursue Post
Graduation, PhD and Post Doctoral study abroad, fellowship is given to the
students whose total annual income along with the income of the parents does
not exceed Rs. 6 Lacs.
(iv) Scheme of Top Class Education for ST students, to ST students for pursuing
studies and degree at Post Graduate level in any of the 158 identified institutions
of excellence such as IITs, NIITs, IIMs etc.
(v) Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for ST students: Under this scheme 750
fellowships are provided to the ST students each year for pursuing higher studies
in India for MPhil and PhD. Fellowship amount is as per UGC norms for a
period of 2 to 5 years.
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