Seminar to boost edu level among SC, STs

Following a government order, implementing Post Matric Scholarship in full for SC/STs pursuing their studies in the State issued by Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, there was a remarkable rise in the admissions of the SC/ST students in Tamil Nadu. From a mere 2,15,000 in 2011 to over 8,35,000 in 2017-2018, the Gross Enrolment Ratio of Tamil Nadu higher education rose to over 40% which is almost double the national average. AKAM, Human Rights Education Protection Council (HREPC), Social Watch are organising a state level consultation program on ‘Heralding social change via higher education for SC/ STs’.

Talking to DT Next, Christodas Gandhi, founder of AKAM, said that education is planned for the general masses only part of it is dedicated to the community. “We need to know what exactly they need and plan accordingly. We are now looking at making them pursue fields like medicine, engineering and PhDs. There are a few scholarships for PhDs, but we need a comprehensive thrust,” he said.

He added that one must also realise that on their own, the community has come up and they need more impetus to that movement. He added, “There are problems with the Post Matric Scholarship, we have been highlighting it, but we have not elicited response from the government. Even the Central Government has not paid attention to that and the budget allocation has been reduced.”