Lok Sabha Question No. 3474 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-08
Subject: Literacy Rate in Tribal Community
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Lorho S. Pfoze

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3474

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 08/08/2022

## LITERACY RATE IN TRIBAL COMMUNITY

3474. SHRI LORHO S. PFOZE:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government has any action plan to increase the literacy rate in the tribal community of Manipur;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)   whether the Government has implemented several Schemes/Programmes to increase literacy rates and education levels for the tribal community living in the hills and valleys of Manipur, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Government has approved a new scheme 'New India Literacy Programme  for the period FYs 2022-2027 to cover all the aspects of Adult Education to align with National Education Policy 2020  and  Budget  Announcements  2021-22.  The  objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  impart  not  only foundational  literacy  and  numeracy  but  also  to  cover  other  components  which  are  necessary  for  a citizen of 21st century.

Besides, this Ministry has been, inter alia , implementing various schemes for educational development including schemes aimed to increase literacy rate of tribals.  These schemes include Eklavya Model Residential Scheme (EMRS), Pre & Post Matric Scholarships, Top Class scholarships, Fellowships, National  Overseas  Scholarships  etc.   Further,  grants  are  also  being  provided  to  States/NGOs  for educational related  activities  under  the scheme  of  Grants  under Article 275  (1)  of  the  Constitution, Development of PVTGs and Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for welfare of Scheduled Tribes etc.  These schemes cater to the tribal population across the country, including those residing in hills and  valleys  of  Manipur  and  outreach  of  these  schemes  is  being  gradually  increased.  The  details  of these schemes are as below:

- I. Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) :  It  is  a  central sector scheme introduced in the year  1997-98  to  provide  quality  education  to  Scheduled  Tribes  (ST)  students  (Class  6th  to 12th)  in  remote  areas  through  residential  schools.   As  on  date,  684  schools  have  been sanctioned by the Ministry, out of which 378 are reported to be functional.
- II. National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students: The scheme provides financial  assistance or  pursuing  M.Phil  and  PhD  in  Universities  and for  perusing graduate and post graduate courses in top 246 Institutes like IIT/AIIMS etc .
- III. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) to the ST Students for Studies Abroad: Under the Scheme,  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  20  ST  students  every  year  for  pursuing  higher studies abroad.
- IV. Pre- Matric Scholarship: Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under which financial assistance is provided to ST students studying in classes IX and X.
- V. Post Matric Scholarship : Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under which financial assistance is provided to ST students studying beyond class X.
- VI. Grants under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution :  Under this scheme, funds are released to States to enable them to meet the cost of such schemes of development including educational development  as  may  be  undertaken  by  the  State  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  welfare  of Scheduled Tribes in that State or raising the level of administration of Scheduled Areas therein to that of the administration of the rest of the areas of that State.
- VII. Development of  Particularly  Vulnerable  Tribal  Groups  (PVTGs): This  scheme  adopts  a habitat  level  development  approach  to  improve  the  quality  of  life  through  intervention  in housing, drinking water, education and health services, livelihood support, and cultural aspects.
- VIII. Aid  to  Voluntary  Organizations  working  for  the  welfare  of  Scheduled  Tribes: Ministry has  been  funding Voluntary  Organizations  (VOs)  including  Non-Governmental  Voluntary Organizations  (NGOs)  working  in  tribal  Hilly, remote and  border  areas  for  projects  in Education, Health and Livelihood.

Further, as reported by the Govt. of Manipur, following interventions are being taken by them towards increasing education level-

-  5 Ashram Schools are functioning in the State in tribal majority districts of Senapati, Noney, Chandel and Tamenglong.
-  22 ST Boys and Girls Hostels are being  established in hills and valley areas of Manipur under central  assistance  provided  under  Special  Central  Assistance  to  Tribal  Sub-Scheme  (SCA  to TSS), Grants under Article 275(1) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
-  Primary and Upper Primary schools are also functioning under Autonomous District Councils in  6  tribal  majority  districts  of  Manipur.  The  districts  are  Tamenglong,  Ukhrul,  Chandel, Senapati, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi.
-  In addition, Department of Education (Schools), Manipur is running 528 Primary Schools, 173 Upper  Primary  Schools  and  23  High  and  Higher  Secondary  Schools  having  Primary/Upper primary classes at the hill districts of Manipur.
-  Schemes/Programmes  like  Kasturba  Gandhi  Balika  Vidyalaya  (KGBV)  and  Residential Schools (Netaji Subhas Chandra Awasia Vidyalaya) are being implemented in the State under the Samagra Shiksha to increase literacy rates and educational level of school going children belonging to ST, SC and minority communities.

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