Lok Sabha Question No. 2130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Tribal Education
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Geetha Viswanath Vanga

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2130

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## TRIBAL EDUCATION

## 2130.  SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH :

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Union Government are committed to tribal education and improvement of facilities in all tribal schools in Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken;

- (b)  whether the Ekalavya schools allotted and running in various districts of Andhra Pradesh as part of the education  facilities  in  tribal  areas  are  lacking  building  and  other  basic  infrastructure,  classes  are  being  run temporarily at Sitampeta and Pathapatnam Youth Training Centres for Ekalavya Schools in Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(c)  whether the Government is also providing aid to tribal students for preparation of UPSC, national level examinations and also for foreign education, if so, the details thereof in the last three years and the current year in Andhra Pradesh with aid given so far?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

(a):  The  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  and  Union  Government  are  committed  to  Tribal  Education  and improvement  of  facilities  in  tribal  schools.  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  is  running  (2651)  Educational Institutional under Tribal Welfare Department. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is providing the facilities to the ST students in all Educational Institutes namely-diet charges, cosmetic charges, bedding material, note books, four pair uniforms, trunk boxes, plates and glasses, shoes and socks, school bags, bunker beds, dual desk benches. In addition, with a view to provide quality education,  facilities to students such as digital class rooms, library materials, science and maths lab equipments etc. are also being provided.

Besides,  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  recognises  the  fact  that  education  is  an  absolute  requirement  for holistic  development  of  Scheduled  Tribes  and  has  been  a  core  focus  area.  Ministry    of  Tribal  Affairs  is implementing   the following  educational   schemes/programmes :-

- (i)   Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs),
- (ii)  Strengthening Education among ST girls in Low Literacy Districts,
- (iii) Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the Welfare of STs
- (iv)  Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students,
- (v)   Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students.
- (vi)  Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme,
- (vii) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups,
- (viii) National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students, and
- (ix) National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education for ST Students.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has introduced a scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) to impart quality education exclusively to ST children with an objective to provide quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribes (ST) students in remote areas in order to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and get jobs in Government, Public and Private sectors.  Realizing the importance of the EMRS, in the budget announcement 2018-19, it was decided that every block having 50% ST population and at least 20,000 ST population shall have an Eklavya Model Residential (EMRS) by 2022.  So far,  Andhra Pradesh   has 19 EMRSs functional and will have 9 more EMRSs by the year 2022.

(b): Total 19 EMRSs are sanctioned for the State of Andhra Pradesh and all these EMRSs are functional as on date. Out of these 19 EMRSs, 4 are functional in own building and remaining 15 are in rented premises. All 15 EMRSs  functional  through  rented  premises  are  to  be  shifted  to  own  buildings  when  construction  of  the building is completed. Recurring expense is being released to all the 19 EMRSs to facilitate education to ST students.  State Government of Andhra Pradesh has intimated that EMRS in Srikakulam district due to land dispute construction activity is delayed, recently dispute resolved and now construction activity started.

- (c):    Under  YSR  Vidyonnathi  Scheme  UPSC, National level  examination  coaching to  the  tribal  students  is being provided by State Government of Andhra Pradesh:
-  Coaching classes to the ST students to attend competitive exams i.e. IIT, IIIT, NEET.
-  Under 'Ambedkar Overseas Vidyanidhi Scheme' for providing Foreign Education for ST Students (@ Rs.15.00 lakhs per students) selected countries.

| S.No.   | Year    |   Phy. |    Fin. |
|---------|---------|--------|---------|
| 1.      | 2016-17 |    255 |  528.42 |
| 2.      | 2017-18 |    300 |  354.86 |
| 3.      | 2018-19 |    263 |  361.89 |
| Total   |         |    818 | 1245.17 |

| Sl. No.   | Year    |   Number of Candidates provided with Scholarship |   Amount (Rs. In lakh) |
|-----------|---------|--------------------------------------------------|------------------------|
| 1.        | 2016-17 |                                                9 |                    135 |
| 2.        | 2017-18 |                                               10 |                    150 |
| 3.        | 2018-19 |                                               16 |                    240 |
| 4.        | 2019-20 |                                               34 |                    510 |
|           | Total   |                                               69 |                   1035 |

Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  also  provides  funds  under  the  Scheme  of  Special  Central  Assistance  to Tribal Sub Scheme for projects related to coaching classes to tribal students based on the proposals from the State  Government  duly  approved  by  Executive  Committee  and  after  appraisal  and  approval  thereof  by  a Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) constituted in this Ministry for the purpose. However, no fund has been released to State Government of Andhra Pradesh  for the last three years and current year for tribal students for preparation of UPSC, National level examinations and also for foreign education.

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