Lok Sabha Question No. 3031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-05
Subject: Literacy Levels of ST Girls
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3031

TO BE ANSWERED ON 5.12.2016

## LITERACY LEVELS OF ST GIRLS

## SHRI MATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the population of girls among the total population of Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the country as per 2011 census;
- (b) the details of female literacy rate among the females of Scheduled Tribes Communities in the country State/UT-wise;
- (c) the initiatives taken by the Government to increase the female literacy rate in the tribal areas; and
- (d) the  details  of  voluntary  organization  /  NGOs  and  Institutions  working  in  this  regard, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

(a) & (b): Details of population of girls among the total population of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and female literacy rate among ST communities in the country, State / UT- wise, as per Census 2011, are given at Annexure 1.

(c):  Initiatives  taken  by  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  to  increase  the  literacy  rate  of  STs  across  the country including ST girls are as follows:

- (i) Scheme of Girls & Boys Hostels for STs: Under the scheme, Central assistance is given to States /  UTs / Universities for construction of new hostel  buildings and / or extension of existing hostels. State Governments are eligible for 100% central share for construction of all Girls' hostel and also for construction of Boys' hostel in naxal affected areas. The funding pattern for other Boys' Hostel to State Governments is on 50:50 basis.
- (ii) Scheme  of  Ashram  Schools  in  Tribal  Areas:  The  objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  provide residential schools for STs to increase the literacy rate among the tribal students and to bring them at par  with  other  population  of  the  country.  Under  the  scheme,  State  Governments  are  eligible  for 100% central share for construction of all Girls' Ashram Schools and also for construction of Boys' Ashram Schools in naxal affected areas. The funding pattern for the other Boys' Ashram Schools is on 50:50 basis.
- (iii) Scheme for Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts: The scheme aims to bridge the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and tribal women, through  facilitating  100%  enrolment  of  tribal  girls  in  the  identified  Districts  or  Blocks,  more

particularly in naxal affected areas and in areas inhabited by Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs), and reducing  drop-outs  at  the  elementary  level  by  creating  the  required  ambience  for  education. Improvement of the literacy rate of tribal girls is essential to enable them to participate effectively in and benefit from, socio-economic development.

2. In  addition to above, to maximize retention of ST students within various stages of school education and promoting higher learning, monetary incentives are provided by Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the form of scholarships such as Pre Matric Scholarship, Post Matric Scholarship, National Overseas Scholarship, Scholarship for Top Class Education and Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for ST students.

As  informed  by  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development,  following  initiatives  have  been taken for increasing over all literacy rate including ST females:

- (1)   Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), districts with high concentration  of  population  of  Scheduled  Tribes  (STs)  have  been  identified  as  Special  Focus Districts (SFDs). The criteria for identifying the SFDs is of 25% and above population of STs.
- (2) The percentage of enrolment of children from ST community, as per Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2014-15, is 10.47% of the total enrolment in elementary education, which is more than the share of tribal population at 8.6% as per census 2011 .
- (3) For the year 2016-17, an amount of Rs. 998433.32 lakh has been allocated for ST concentrated SFDs under SSA, which is 13% of the total allocation of SSA.  Besides, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas  (KGBVs)  have  played  an  important  role  in  furthering  the  goal  of  girls'  education  in educationally  backward  blocks  of  the  country.  A  total  of  508  KGBVs,  which  are  upper  primary residential schools for girls, have been sanctioned in the ST concentrated SFDs, out of which 507 are operational. In ST concentrated SFDs, 147 residential schools and 190 hostels have been sanctioned.
- (4)  SSA  also  supports  provisions  for  textbooks  to  all  children  in  Government  /  local  body  and Government aided schools and two sets of uniform to all girls, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe  (ST)  children  and  Below  Poverty  Line  (BPL)  children,  wherever  State  Governments  have incorporated provision of school uniforms as a child entitlement in their State RTE Rules.
- (5)  The  Right  of  Children  to  Free  and  Compulsory  Education  (RTE)  Act,  2009  under Section  29 states  that  wherever  practicable  children  should  be  taught  in  their  mother  tongue.  In  the  last  few years several States have taken initiatives to bridge children from tribal groups speaking a different language at home to transition to school language.
- (6) Teacher training under the SSA has sessions on sensitizing teachers to actively dispel traditional perceptions  regarding  gender  or  caste  roles,  take  measures  which  would  help  girls,  children  from disadvantaged groups and weaker sections pursue education which is equitable and free of anxiety. Further, revision of syllabi, textbooks and supplementary learning material are done to incorporate gender and social inclusion dimensions.
- (7)  In  order  to  improve  literacy  rate,  Saakshar  Bharat,  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  for  Adult Education and Skill Development is being implemented in rural areas of 410 districts in 26 States and one UT that had adult female literacy rate of 50 per cent and below as per Census 2001, and

including left wing extremism affected districts, irrespective of their literacy rates, with special focus on  women,  SCs,  STs,  minorities  and  other  disadvantaged  groups.  The  principal  target  of  the programme  is  to  impart  functional  literacy  to  70  million  adults  (60  million  female)  including  8 million STs (6 million female) in the age group of 15 years and beyond. Plan-wise targets are fixed to achieve higher levels of literacy in a phased manner. The present targets are to raise the overall literacy rate of the country to 80 per cent and reduce the gender gap to 10 percentage points by the end of XII Five Year Plan (i.e. 31.07.2017).

(d):    State  /  UT-wise  details  of  Voluntary  Organizations  /  NGOs  and  Institutions  working  under Scheme  of  'Strengthening  Education  among  Scheduled  Tribe  Girls  in  Low  Literacy  Districts'  of Ministry of Tribal Affairs are given at Annexure 2.

****

Annexure 1 referred to part (a) and (b) of Lok Sabha Un-starred Question No.3031 for 5.12.2016

| Sl. No.   | State / UT               |   Total ST population |   ST female population |   ST female literacy rate |
|-----------|--------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------|---------------------------|
|           | INDIA                    |             104545716 |               51998501 |                      49.4 |
| 1         | JAMMU &KASHMIR           |               1493299 |                 717042 |                      39.7 |
| 2         | HIMACHAL PRADESH         |                392126 |                 196008 |                      64.2 |
| 3         | UTTARAKHAND              |                291903 |                 143234 |                      63.9 |
| 4         | RAJASTHAN                |               9238534 |                4495591 |                      37.3 |
| 5         | UTTAR PRADESH            |               1134273 |                 553190 |                      43.7 |
| 6         | BIHAR                    |               1336573 |                 654057 |                      40.4 |
| 7         | SIKKIM                   |                206360 |                 101099 |                      74.3 |
| 8         | ARUNACHAL PRADESH        |                951821 |                 483431 |                      58   |
| 9         | NAGALAND                 |               1710973 |                 844946 |                      76.9 |
| 10        | MANIPUR                  |               1167422 |                 579143 |                      67.8 |
| 11        | MIZORAM                  |               1036115 |                 519821 |                      89.5 |
| 12        | TRIPURA                  |               1166813 |                 578486 |                      71.6 |
| 13        | MEGHALAYA                |               2555861 |                1286133 |                      73.5 |
| 14        | ASSAM                    |               3884371 |                1927366 |                      65.1 |
| 15        | WEST BENGAL              |               5296953 |                2646979 |                      47.7 |
| 16        | JHARKHAND                |               8645042 |                4329635 |                      46.2 |
| 17        | ODISHA                   |               9590756 |                4863024 |                      41.2 |
| 18        | CHHATTISGARH             |               7822902 |                3949711 |                      48.8 |
| 19        | MADHYAPRADESH            |              15316784 |                7597380 |                      41.5 |
| 20        | GUJARAT                  |               8917174 |                4415785 |                      53.2 |
| 21        | DAMAN &DIU               |                 15363 |                   7592 |                      71.2 |
| 22        | DADRA &NAGARHAVELI       |                178564 |                  89720 |                      50.3 |
| 23        | MAHARASHTRA              |              10510213 |                5195188 |                      57   |
| 24        | TELANGANA                |               3286928 |                1626965 |                      39.4 |
| 25        | ANDHRA PRADESH           |               2631145 |                1321746 |                      40.9 |
| 26        | KARNATAKA                |               4248987 |                2114233 |                      53   |
| 27        | GOA                      |                149275 |                  76327 |                      71.5 |
| 28        | LAKSHADWEEP              |                 61120 |                  30605 |                      87.8 |
| 29        | KERALA                   |                484839 |                 246636 |                      71.1 |
| 30        | TAMIL NADU               |                794697 |                 393629 |                      46.8 |
| 31        | ANDAMAN &NICOBAR ISLANDS |                 28530 |                  13799 |                      69.9 |

Note: No Notified Scheduled Tribes in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, NCT of Delhi and Puducherry.

Source: Census 2011

## Annexure 2 referred to part (d) of Lok Sabha Un-starred Question No.3031 for 05.12.2016

State-wise list of Voluntary Organisations / NGOs and Institutions under Scheme of 'Strengthening Education among Scheduled Tribe Girls in Low Literacy Districts' during 2013-14 to 2016-17

| S. No.            | Names with Addresses                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ANDHRA PRADESH    | ANDHRA PRADESH                                                                                                                                                     |
| 1                 | A.P.Tribal Welfare Ashram and Residential Education Institution Society, Hyderabad, A.P (14 Units)                                                                 |
| ARUNACHAL PRADESH | ARUNACHAL PRADESH                                                                                                                                                  |
| 2                 | Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Lakhra Road, Kahilipara, Guwahati, Assam (H. Qrs.) project at Pakke Kassang, East Kameng Distt., Arunachal Pradesh                        |
| CHHATTISGARH      | CHHATTISGARH                                                                                                                                                       |
| 3                 | Vivekanand Institute of Social Health and Welfare Service, Ma Sarada Vidyamandir ORCHHA, Narainpur, Dist.Baster, Chhattisgarh                                      |
| GUJARAT           | GUJARAT                                                                                                                                                            |
| 4                 | Gujarat State Tribal Development Residential Education Institute Society (GSITDREIS), Birsa Munda Bhawan, Gandhinagar (43 Units)                                   |
| 5                 | Lok Niketan, At/PO - Ratanpur, Taluk - Palanpur, Distt. - Banaskantha, Pin - 385 001,Gujarat                                                                       |
| 6                 | Shree Jeevandeep Educationa and Charitable Trust, Shvratana Complex, Datar Road, Kadiyawad, Junagarh, Gujarat (Hostel at Vill. Talal, Block Tala, Distt. Junagarh) |
| 7                 | Shree Sarvodaya Ashram Trust, At/Po-Sanali, Ta-Danta, Dist.-Banaskantha, Gujarat                                                                                   |
| JHARKHAND         | JHARKHAND                                                                                                                                                          |
| 8                 | Bharatiya Adimjati Sevak Sangha, Thakkar Bapa Samarak Sadan, New Delhi (H.Qrs.) Project at Lumbai                                                                  |
| MADHYA PRADESH    | MADHYA PRADESH                                                                                                                                                     |
| 9                 | Adarsh Lok Kalyan Sanstha, J.R.Birla Road, Near Gyan Mandhi Hr.Sec.School, Satna, M.P.(2-Educational Complexes)                                                    |
| 10                | Amay Gramin Utthan Samiti, 86, Chandra Shekhar Azad Marg, Ranapur, Pin-457993, Block-Ranapur, Distt.-Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh. (Hostel Projects)                     |
| 11                | Bandhewal Shiksha Samiti, Distt Harda , 92, Purana Nariyal Khera, Bhopal, 462038, Bhopal, M.P.                                                                     |
| 12                | Keshav Gramotthan Shikshan Samiti, Vill.-Tikriya, Distt.-Dindori, M.P. (2 Educational Complexes)                                                                   |
| 13                | Madhya Pradesh Tribal Welfare Residential and Ashram Educational Institute Society, Satpura Bhavan, Bhopal, M.P. (13 Projects)                                     |
| 14                | M.P.Anusuchit Jati Janjati Pichda Varg Kalyan Samiti, 166-E, Muninagar, Ujjain, M.P.                                                                               |
| 15                | Pushpa Convent Education Society, AT-Patel Nagar, Block-Goradongri, Distt-Betul, Pin- 462010 Pushpa Nagar, Bhopal, M.P.                                            |
| 16                | Pandey Shiksha Samiti, Village Bamraha, Satha, M.P.                                                                                                                |
| 17                | Rajendra Ashram Trust, At/PO-Kathiwada, Distt.-Jhabua, M.P.                                                                                                        |
| 18                | Savya Sanchi Centre for Urban &Rural Development, AT-Amar Nikunj, Arjun Nagar, Sidhi, District-Sidhi, Pin - 486661, M.P.                                           |
| 19                | Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda Sevashram, Mai Ki Bagia, Amarkantak, District Anupur PIN 484886, Madhya Pradesh                                                        |
| 20                | Gramin Seva Kendra, AT/PO-Mandlinathu, Tehsil-Ranapur, District Jhabua, Pin-457993,                                                                                |

| S. No.                                                                           | Names with Addresses                                                                                                                         |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                  | Madhya Pradesh                                                                                                                               |
| 21 Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Sevak Sangh, Distt-Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh MAHARASHTRA | 21 Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Sevak Sangh, Distt-Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh MAHARASHTRA                                                             |
| 22                                                                               | Chandrai Mahila Mandal, Pimpalner, Tal-Sakri, Distt-Dhule, Maharashtra (Hostel Project at Vill-Pankheda, Tal-Sakri, Distt-Dhule, Maharashtra |
| 23                                                                               | Shri Swayam Seva Bhavi Sanstha, Ganeshpur Tal Sakri, Pin-424310,Distt. Dhule, Maharshtra (Hostel Project )                                   |
| 24                                                                               | Navnirman Shikshan Santha, Bebratanda, Tah. Deglur, Distt-Naded, Maharashtra (Hostel Project at Vill. Mendki, Block Mahur, Distt. Naded)     |
| 25                                                                               | Sandhi Niketan Shikshan Sanstha, Wadgaon, Dist.Nanded, M.S.                                                                                  |
| ODISHA                                                                           | ODISHA                                                                                                                                       |
| 26                                                                               | Arun Institute of Rural Affairs, At: Aswakhola, PO:Karamul, Dist.Dhenkanal, Orissa                                                           |
| 27                                                                               | Bright Career Academy, At-Dolomandap, Chandanbad Area, PO-Jeypore, Distt.-Koraput, Pin - 764001, Orissa                                      |
| 28                                                                               | Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, At-Utkal Branch, PO-Satyabhamapur, Dist.Cuttack, Pin-754200, Orissa                                 |
| 29                                                                               | Koraput Development Foundation, AT-Lingraj Nagar, PO-Jeypore, Dist.Koraput, Orissa                                                           |
| 30                                                                               | Liberation Education and Action for Development (LEAD), At/PO-Jeypore, Vill.Sundergarh, Dist.Koraput, Orissa                                 |
| 31                                                                               | Marr-Munning Ashram, Aurobindo Nagar, PO-Jeypore, Distt.-Koraput, Orissa                                                                     |
| 32                                                                               | Orissa Model Tribal Education Society,(OMTES) Bhubneswar, Orissa (19 Project)                                                                |
| 33                                                                               | PRAKALPA, At/PO-Jyotipur, Distt.-Keonjhar, Orissa                                                                                            |
| 34                                                                               | Servants of Indian Society, At/PO-Rayagada, Dist.Rayagada, Orissa                                                                            |
| 35                                                                               | Seva Samaj, AT/PO-Gunupur, Distt-Rayagad, Pin762022, Orissa                                                                                  |
| 36                                                                               | Social Education for Environment and Development (SEED), N-2/152, IRC Village, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar, Orissa                                |
| 37                                                                               | Society for Nature Edu. &Health (SNEH), Plot No.ND 19-20, IRC Village, Nayapalli, VIP Area, Bhubaneswar, Orissa (2-Educational project)      |
| 38                                                                               | Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, AT-Badarohila, PO-Kadalimunda, Distt-Angul,Pin-759126, , Orissa (2-Educational project)                              |
| 39                                                                               | Tagore Society for Rural Development, A-47, Rameswar Patna, Mausima Square, Bhubaneswar, Orissa                                              |
| 40                                                                               | Sarvodaya Samiti, AT/PO-Koraput, Pin-764020, District- Koraput, Orissa                                                                       |
| 41                                                                               | Holy Home AT:Dianmunda Chhak, PO: Tanwat, Dist-Naupada, Orissa                                                                               |
| RAJASTHAN                                                                        | RAJASTHAN                                                                                                                                    |
| 42                                                                               | Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Sansthan,940, Hiran Magri, Sec No. 4, Udaipur- 313002, Rajasthan                                                      |
| 43                                                                               | Mewar Saririk Shiksha Samiti, Hinta, PO-Bhander, Udaipur, Rajasthan                                                                          |
| 44                                                                               | Rajasthan Bal Kalyan Samiti, Vill/PO-Jhadol (Phalasia), Dist.Udaipur, Rajasthan                                                              |
| TELANGANA                                                                        | TELANGANA                                                                                                                                    |
| 45                                                                               | Telangana Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TTWREIS), Hyderabad (16 Units)                                        |