The Hindu 11.02.2010
Tribal education a high priority for State Government: Minister
Special Correspondent
| ‘Non-governmental organisations should focus more on rural areas’ |
– Photo:M. Sathyamoorthy 
Positive step: Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister Tamilarasi releasing a report on tribal education in Udhagamandalam on Wednesday.
Udhagamandalam: Tribal education is high on the list of priorities of the Government, said the Minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Tamilarasi here on Wednesday.
She was inaugurating a seminar on “Quality Education for Tribal Students” organised by the Nilgiris Adivasi Welfare Association (NAWA).
Underscoring the role of education in uplifting the people, she said that the level of literacy among tribals in the state is rising on account of the efforts being made by the Government. The allocation for tribal welfare by the DMK government is the maximum.
Listing the schemes being implemented for the benefit of the tribals, she said that eligible tribal students are also being educated in private schools using Government funding.
Acknowledging the role of non-governmental organisations in supplementing the efforts of the government in the field of tribal education, she urged them to focus on remote areas. Steps should be taken to deal with maladies like Sickle Cell Anaemia which are prevalent among some of the tribal communities.
Observing that the preservation of tribal culture is most visible in the Nilgiris district, Ms.Tamilarasi said, “it is our duty to protect culture.”Stating that nature should be protected for the sake of human beings and animals, she said that lessons should be learnt from tribals.
Referring to the Tribal Bill, she said that applications have been received from many districts and as soon as the case in this regard which is pending in the Apex Court is disposed of, appropriate action will be taken on the applications.
Khadi Board Minister K. Ramachandran said that the Badaga community of the Nilgiris which was once listed as tribal community is now in the list of backward classes because education has helped its members progress.
Many of them are doing their higher education abroad. “The current demand for re-inclusion in the scheduled tribes list is only to get concessions,” he opined.
He added that since teachers are reluctant to work in remote tribal areas, the schools should be shifted to convenient places.
Efforts would be made to replace the huts in adivasi villages with concrete houses.
Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Principal Secretary Vishwanath Shegaonkar said that about 75 percent of the total allocation made for tribal welfare is being spent for education. Out of 461 tribal groups in the country, 36 are in Tamil Nadu. They constitute one percent of the total population of the state.
Pointing out that the Nilgiris is the home for six special tribal groups, he said that the special grants extended by the Government of India are being used for the socio-economic development of the tribals.
Nilgiris Collector Anandrao V. Patil, who presided, said that efforts should be made to build self-confidence among the tribals. NGOs should help improve the health status of the tribals.
Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Commissioner P. Sivasankaran said that the inherent talent of the tribals should be honed with the help of education. Education and preservation of culture should go hand in hand.
NAWA Secretary M.Alwas presented a report on the educational activities of the organisation.
Tea Board Executive Director R.D. Nazeem and MLA representing Udhagamandalam B. Gopalan were among those who spoke.
NAWA Project Manager K.Vijayakumar welcomed the gathering.
Ms.Tamilarasi released a report prepared by NAWA.
Senior Medical Officer K. Ramasamy proposed a vote of thanks.