APPENDIX A (B) (ii) : REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF EDUCATION OF THE SCHEDULED TRIBES AND SCHEDULED AREAS IN VARIOUS STATES WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES UNDER ARTICLE 275

The following is a brief record of the progress reported by the different States on the above subject :

BIHAR

During 1952-53 the scheme of the Education Department relating to the opening of two Primary schools for the Scheduled Tribes in the hill region of the Scheduled district had been approved for grant-in- aid under Art. 275 of the Constitution by the Government of India and a sum of Rs. 13,000/- was allotted for the scheme. Later, however, the State Government proposed to the Government of India to divert the amount to other schemes which are being implemented for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. They also proposed that a sum of Rs. 3,71,500/out of the grant of Rs. 7,43,000/- originally sanctioned by the Government of India for minor irrigation works, may be diverted to the following educational development schemes which were being operated for the benefit of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes:

1. Opening of two Primary schools for aboriginals in the Scheduled district.

2. Opening of Primary schools in the backward areas.

3. Subsidising of a High school.

4. Opening of training centres for teachers of Hindi schools started in the backward areas of the State.

Educational Development schemes pertaining to 1953-54, costing Rs. 48,65,174/-, were forwarded to the Government of India for grant- in-aid under Article 275 of the Constitution. However, only one scheme, namely, that of educational development of Seraikel and Kharsawan costing Rs. 3,82,480/- was approved by the Government of India.

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BOMBAY

Primary Education

:-The Government have opened 116 special schools in pursuance of the recommendation made by the Wandrekar Committee for the expansion of educational facilities for Adivasis in the Scheduled Area of the Thana District and compulsory Primary education for children in 7-11 age group has been introduced in Dahanu, Makhada and Umbargaon Talukas. The Government have also opened two shifting camp schools for Katkaris in Thana District. In addition, 26 new schools have been opened in school-less villages with a population of 300 and above but not exceeding 900 in the Jhalod Taluka of Panchmahals District.

There are 26 hostels for Backward Classes in the Scheduled Areas which are run through the District School Board concerned. 180 scholarships were awarded to the pupils belonging to the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Areas during 1953-54 as against 95 scholarships awarded in 1952-53. In addition to the ten Ashram schools sanctioned by the Government during 1953-54, ten more have been sanctioned by the Government during the current year and of these six have been opened. During 1953-54, the voluntary agencies running the Ashram schools have been paid total grants amounting to Rs. 2,61,174/- A grant of Rs. 3,63,673/- was paid to 56 hostels during 1953-54. This year's grant is payable at a flat rate of 80 per cent of the approved expenditure on the 56 Backward Classes hostels.

Secondary Education.

--All children of the Backward Classes including the Scheduled Castes are entitled to admission without discrimination to any recognised school. In addition to free studentships, the Government have sanctioned Middle, High and Vocational High School Scholarships for the Backward Classes, including those belonging to Scheduled Tribes.

Training of Teachers.

--The pupils of the Backward Classes including Scheduled Tribes are exempted from the payment of tuition fees in non-Government Primary Training institutions. No tuition fee etc., is charged from these students in Government Primary Training colleges. In addition stipends of Rs. 20/- p.m. are paid to eligible Backward Classes candidates. The number of stipends is restricted to 560.

Collegiate Education.

--The Backward Classes students including those belonging to Scheduled Tribes are awarded Government special free studentships. In addition they are awarded Government scholarships of Rs. 25/- p.m.

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In addition the Government have maintained two hostels, one at Poona and the other at Hubli for the pupils in Secondary schools and colleges. In June 1954 a third hostel was opened at Ahmedabad.

Lump sum scholarships for the purchase of books and slates and monthly scholarships to students in medical colleges were given in 1953-54.

ORISSA

Ashram Schools

The residential Ashram schools in Tribal Areas are slowly but steadily developing into ideal institutions for the all-round development of the tribal boys. Thirty-two Ashram schools were opened up to the end of the year under report. Of these, 17 including one for girls are, situated in Scheduled Areas.

A Parents' Day is observed at these Ashram schools. On this day, the parents of the inmates are invited to inspect the school and observe the activities of their wards.

Activities

For all the Ashram schools a standard routine has been prescribed including games, physical exercise and mass drill. Cultural activities like debating, excursions and practical rural reconstruction work in nearby villages continue to be done. A sum of Rs. 5,45,987/- was spent on these schools during 1952-53 as against Rs. 4,52,378/- in the preceding year.

Sevashrams

The Sevashrams have a three years' course. Students passing out of a Sevashram acquire a working knowledge of various subjects passing from the ordinary L. P. schools. In the 555 Sevashrams opened throughout the State up to 1952-53 there were 26,067 students as against 20,183 in the preceding year.

Harijan Udyogashala, New Delhi

For receiving higher training in crafts like weaving, tailoring, carpentry, smithy etc., the Government have been sending students every year to Harijan Udyogashala, New Delhi. No new batch could be sent due to financial stringency. However, provision for sending ten students have been made in the next year.

Scholarships

Scholarships and stipends are given by the Government to Adivasi and Harijan students at other educational institutions. They continue to enjoy exemption from school and college fees. A sum of Rs. 5,00,000/- was provided for the purpose in 1953-54.

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Besides the State Government scholarships, the Government of India also grant special scholarships to these students at post- Matriculation stage only. 136 students got scholarships amounting to Rs. 67,268/- from the Government of India during 1952-53. Financial assistance to university candidates for payment of examination fees continued to be given as before. A sum of Rs. 3,230/- was spent on this account in 1952-53.

Special Hostel for the students reading in the local High school has been started in the old schellac factory building at Rairangpur in the Mayurbhanj District.

Industrial and Technical Education

The industrial schools at Angul Phulbani, Bolangir and Sundergarh continued to impart industrial training to the Scheduled Tribes and other students during the year. Besides seven candidates are being given training in the Rashtrabhasha Press, Cuttack and nine students are receiving higher technical training outside the State.

MADHYA PRADESH

Provision exists for imparting education to the school-going children of the tribal people under Tribal Welfare Schemes. The information given below will indicate the progress for the year 1953- 54 and beyond March, 1954.

 
        
                                          
Progress Targets Targets Beyond Name of the Scheme. made up to aimed at achieved March 31-3-54. during during 1954. 1953-54. 1953-54.
Opening of Primary schools 225 225 251 251 Opening of Middle schools 27 42 34 34 Opening of Hostels 27 42 34 34 Opening of handicraft sheds 27 42 34 34 Award of Middle school scholarships 750 850 850 950 Award of High school scholarships 300 400 400 450 Award of college scholarships 43 50 44 .. Award of stipends to normal school trainees 100 140 122 180 Award of stipends to students residing in hostels 675 1,200 1,020 1,020 attached to Middle schools. Expenditure envisaged for 1953-54 Rs.17,88,700 Expenditure incurred:non-recurring Rs. 4,20,979 recurring Rs.10,36,142 Total Rs.14,57,121

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Reason for non-achievement of targets

The revised Tribal Welfare Scheme was introduced in this State from 1st December, 1952. By the end of the year 1953-54 only 30 centres were organised. Owing to the difficult nature of the Scheduled Areas and various other difficulties, four Primary schools, eight Middle, schools, eight hostels and handicraft sheds could not be established.

College scholarships could not be awarded for want of application.

180 hostels stipends could not be awarded as the required number of hostels could not be organised.

During the year the management of three High schools at Dharni, Dindori and Baihar was also taken over under the scheme.

The following facilities are offered to the students taking education in the Primary and Middle schools opened under the Scheme.

1. Free education.

2. Free supply of books and slates to students in Primary schools.

3. Midday refreshments to students in Primary schools.

4. Free supply of dresses to girls.

In addition, 547 Primary schools and 24 Middle schools have been taken over. from the Education Department, Forest Department and Janapada Sabha for management under the Tribal Welfare Department with effect from 1-4-54.

A Research Institute at Chhindwara has been opened and a special normal school for training teachers required for the schools under the Tribal Welfare Scheme has been started at Sijahora in Mandla district with effect from 1-4-54.

WEST BENGAL

Apart from the general facilities shared by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes with others, the Government have created a fund for the promotion of education amongst educationally backward classes to give special facilities to them. The total expenditure from this fund in 1953-54 is given in the following statement.

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Statement of Expenditure

                                          
Scheduled Scheduled Other Total. Item Castes. Tribes. Backward classes.
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. 1. Stipends-Primary stage mainly in Non-District School Board areas 9,876 1,584 1,464 12,924 2. Stipends -Secondary stage 1,58,524 41,234 20,916 2,20,834 3. Stipends for boarding charges 41,100 14,450 8,470 64,020 4. Stipends-Collegiate stage 48,240 2,510 26,940 77,690 5. Stipends for boarding charges 13,050 900 1,800 15,750 6. Stipends-Professional and Technical 18,140 4,620 4,860 27,620 7. Stipends-Miscellaneous 2,340 - 180 2,520 8. Books and Slates-Primary stage 12,191 3,259 1,863 17,313 9. Books and examination fees- Secondary 27,949 6,851 4,715 39,515 10. Books and examination fees- Collegiate 380 - - 380 Total 3,31,950 75,408 71,208 4,78,566 11. Maintenance of Calcutta hostels for Scheduled - - - 24,38 Castes etc. 12. Capitation grant to hostels outside Calcutta for these - - - 20,535 13. Grant-in-aid to schools catering mainly for Scheduled Castes - - - 2,75,009 14. Building grant to the above schools - - - 58,297 15. Furniture and equipment grant to them - - - 14,066 16. Prize grant for the schools for Scheduled Caste students etc. - - - 4,650 17. Grant to Basic schools in lieu of local contribution. - - - 50,400 18. Miscellaneous expenditure for Scheduled Castes etc. - - - 16,822 Grand Total 3,31,950 75,408 71,208 9,42,790

Items 11-18 involve an expenditure of Rs. 4,64,224.

Under Art. 275 (I) of the Constitution, the Government of India have been giving grant-in-aid to the State for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes. The following expenditure was incurred by it through the Education ]Department during 1953-54 :-

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Name of the Scheme. Amount spent in 1953-54.
Rs. 1. Improvement of Santal Hostel at Balurghat, West Dinajpur 8,000 2. Construction of a hostel for Santal boys at Ranibandh, Bankura 4,600 3. Construction of an adjunct to the school hostel for Santal boys at Khatra, Bankura. 6,300 4. Construction of a hostel for Santal boys of K. K. Institution at Jhargram, Midnapore. 10,000 5. Establishment of an Extended M. E. School for aboriginals at Alipur P. S. Mamari, Burdwan. 15,000 6. Construction of a hostel attached to Bandhgora Junior High School, Birbhum with 12 seats for Tribal boys. 20,000 7. Extension of R. K. Mission Siksha Mandir hostel at Sarisha, 24 Parganas for 15 Santal boys 17,772 8. Establishment of an Adivasi hostel at Buibulchandi, Malda 8,000 9. Improvement of the Santal hostel at Englishbazar, Malda 10,000 10. Establishment of four Basic schools (with equal contribution from the State Revenues) 46,960 11. Construction of a hostel for Tribal boys of kankradura High School, Bankura, 3,040 12. Extension of the Bhutia Boarding House at Darjeeling 7,228 1,56,900

Besides, a sum of Rs. 64,760/- from the Government of India grant of 1953-54 has been placed in the Tribal Welfare Funds of some districts for the education of the Scheduled Tribes students.

RAJASTHAN

Exemption from Tuition Fees

The Government have issued orders that from the academic session beginning with July 1951, all Backward Classes students including Scheduled Tribes students may be-exempted from the payment of tuition fees in all Government educational institutions.

Scholarships

In order to further encourage the Backward Classes students and to aid them to meet their educational expenses the Backward Classes Welfare Department also grants scholarships to the Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes students. Financial aid is also given by this Department to deserving poor students of Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes for payment of their examination fees.

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Primary and Night Schools

Although it is not the policy of the Government to open separate schools for the Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes students, some separate schools have been opened by the Backward Classes Welfare Department in places where there were no general schools. In 1951-52 there were 50 such Primary schools but now the Department is running 100 Primary schools. The Department is also at present running 30 night schools to educate Scheduled Tribes adults. The special feature of these schools is that the teachers are required to do specific social welfare work for the development of the Backward Classes.

Students getting Education in Important Institutions

The Backward Classes Welfare Department has also reserved five seats for the students in Vidya Bhawan, Udaipur and all the expenses of these students are paid by this Department. Three students are also getting education in Harijan Udyogshala, Delhi at a scholarship of Rs. 25/- per month.