With an objective to promote education among tribal girls and to empower them, the Central Government has in the past six years granted INR 231.50 crore for the cause, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Jaswantsinh Bhabhor said on Monday.

“A total of INR 231.50 crore has been released during last six years from 2012-2013 to 2017-2018 under the scheme Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts,” the minister said.

While replying to a question in Lok Sabha, the minister said that INR 194359.31 lakh in last five years have been released to 27 states including 7 North Eastern states for setting up of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

“These grants have been provided under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India for setting up of the EMRSs,” he said, adding, “The ministry also releases grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution and Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme (SCA to TSS) to the state governments for establishment of schools / hostels and development of educational infrastructure.”

“With a view to maximize retention of ST students within various stages of school education and promoting higher learning, the ministry is also providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships to ST students,” he further added.

Covering 72 blocks of 54 districts in 12 states and in one union territory, the ministry has been implementing the scheme ‘Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts’ with the objective to promote literacy among general female population and tribal women by facilitating 100% enrolment of tribal girls in the identified districts or blocks, more particularly in naxal affected areas and in areas inhabited by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

“Based on Census figures, all India Scheduled Tribe (ST) female literacy rate has increased from 34.8% in 2001 to 49.4% in 2011,” the minister informed.

Not only Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the MHRD is also implementing Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to achieve Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time-bound manner, making free and compulsory education to children of 6-14 years age

With a view to improve literacy rate, the MHRD is also implementing ‘Saakshar Bharat’ with the prime focus on adult non-literate women of rural areas.