Lok Sabha Question No. 1260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-06
Subject: Education in Tribal Areas
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gajendra Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No-†1260

ANSWERED ON 06/12/2021

## EDUCATION IN TRIBAL AREAS

## †1260. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the name of the schemes being implemented by Government to promote education in the tribal areas of the country;

- (b) the details of the education schemes being implemented in Madhya Pradesh; and
- (c) the measures being taken to promote education in rural areas?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The details of the schemes being administered and measures taken by Ministry of Tribal Affairs to promote education in the tribal areas of the country, including in Madhya Pradesh, is as under:

- i. Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been setting up EMRSs since 1997-98 for imparting quality education to tribal children in their own environment in the remote areas across the country. Each EMRS will enroll 480 students. As per the budget announcement 2018-19, every block having 50% or more ST population and at least 20,000 ST population will have EMRS and total 452 such blocks have identified.   With 288 schools already approved under grnats under 275(1)of Constitution, total 740 EMRS will be set up across country.
- ii. Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution: Grants are given by Government of India to the State Governments with notified STs including Madhya Pradesh wherein fund is released inter-alia for education related activities.
- iii. Grant-in-aid  to  Voluntary  Organizations  working  for  the  welfare  of  Scheduled  Tribes: The  prime objective of the scheme is to enhance the reach of welfare schemes of Government and fill the gaps in service deficient tribal areas, in various sectors, including education, through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and  to  provide  favourable  environment  for  socio-economic  upliftment  and  overall  development  of  the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
- iv. Scheme of Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts: The primary objective of this scheme is promotion of education among tribal girls in the identified low literacy districts of the country. The Scheme has been revised with effect from 01.04.2008. Now it is being implemented in 54 identified low literacy districts where ST Population is 25% or more and ST female literacy rate is below 35% as per 2001 census. The Scheme aims to bridge the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and tribal women and is meant exclusively for ST Girls.
- v. Scholarships  to  Scheduled  Tribes: Ministry  implements  following  ongoing  schemes  for  providing scholarships to ST students:
1. Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X)
2. Post Matric Scholarship for ST students.(Class XI onwards)
3. National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students.
4. National Overseas Scholarship for ST students.

Out of the schemes mentioned above, funds under those at Sl. No.1 & 2 are released to the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. These are demand driven open ended Centrally Sponsored Schemes.  The release of funds to States/UTs is done based on the proposal and expenditure details received from the State along with the submission of other requisite documents.  The scheme at Sl. No. 3 is a Central Sector Scheme where scholarship amount is released directly to Students/Institutes in DBT mode. The scheme at Sl. No.4 is also a Central Sector Scheme implemented by this Ministry through Ministry of External Affairs.