Survey of Residential Schools for Tribal Children
The first-ever survey conducted in residential schools for tribal children across five states highlights significant deficiencies in infrastructure and basic amenities.
Key Findings
- Toilet Facilities: One toilet is available for over 40 children on average.
- Infrastructure Issues: Many schools have dilapidated boundary walls and a shortage of benches and chairs.
- Absence of Facilities:
- No computer labs or libraries in numerous schools.
- Lack of sports and basic emergency medical facilities.
Survey Details
- Commissioned by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs through the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET).
- Conducted in 300 out of over 10,000 ashram schools in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
- Schools rated on six broad parameters with scores ranging from 0 (zero) to 2.
State-Specific Findings
- Odisha and Chhattisgarh: Performed better than other states.
- Madhya Pradesh:
- 70 schools in Chhindwara district surveyed; 58.6% faced furniture shortages.
- 43% lacked clean drinking water; 90% had no library.
- No schools had a computer lab or ICT-enabled classrooms; 25% lacked health checkups.
- Maharashtra:
- 35 schools in Palghar district surveyed; 57.1% had furniture shortages.
- 20% of buildings were in poor condition; over 40 children sharing one toilet in a third of schools.
- Andhra Pradesh:
- 60 schools in Alluri Sitharamaraju district surveyed; faced furniture and clean water shortages.
Future Plans and Initiatives
- The ministry plans to allocate funds under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
- Development of an online dashboard for monitoring ashram schools.
- States will be able to upload photos to assist in identifying and addressing gaps.