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Education Of Scheduled Castes And Scheduled Tribes-Part III

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University Grants Commission (UGC)

University Grants Commission provides financial assistance to universities/ deemed universities for the establishment of SC/ST cells in universities to ensure effective implementation of reservation policy for SCs and STs. The UGC has established SC/ST Cells in 113 Universities including central universities to ensure proper implementation of the reservation policy. The standing committee on SCs/STs monitors and reviews the work undertaken by the universities/colleges.

As per the reservation policy, UGC has earmarked 15 percent and 7.50 percent reservation for SCs and STs respectively in appointments, both in teaching and non-teaching posts, admission, hostel accommodation, etc., in universities/colleges, professional and technical educational institutions administered by the central government.

State universities follow reservation policy as prescribed by respective state governments. The Commission has been issuing guidelines/ directives/ instruction from time to time for implementing reservation policy of the government of India. Apart from reservation, thereis also relaxation in minimum qualifying marks for admission for SC/ST candidates.

University grant commission has been implementing the programme of career orientation to education (vocationalisation of education) to ensure that the graduates have knowledge, skills and attitudes for gainful employment in the wage sector in general, and self-employement in particular for all including SCs/STs.

It also provides financial assistance for Remedial Coaching to SC/ST students. It provides financial assistance to the existing coaching centres to prepare SC/ST candidates for the national eligibility test (NET) conducted by UGC/CSIR. The commission provides financial assistance for extension activities. Under the scheme, all groups of the society are covered including SCs/STs.

In order to contribute towards social equity and socio-economic mobility of the under privileged sections of the society, UGC has introduced remedial coaching scheme at UG/PG level. /The main objectives of the scheme are:

1 To improve the academic skills and linguistic proficiency of the students in various subjects.
2 To rasie the level of comprehension of basic subjects so as to provide a strong foundation for further academic work.
3 To strengthen their knowledge, skills and attitudes in the subjects where quantitative and qualitative techniques and laboratory work are involved and
4 To improve the overall performance of these students in the examination.

The commission has created a central pool database of eligible SC/ST candidates and recommends their candidates for teaching positions in order to fulfill the prescribe reservation quota in universities and colleges.

Periodic meetings of registrars of central universities are organized to review the implementation of reservation policy in the central universities. A special monitoring committee, reviews the functioning of existing cells.

Community Polytechnics

The scheme of community polytechnics undertakes rural/community development activities through application of science and technology in its proximity. It provides platforms for transfer of appropriate technologies to rural masses/local communities. Preference is given in training to rural youths, SCs, STs, women, school dropouts and other disadvantaged groups and helps them to obtain need based gainful employment.

The scheme of community polytechnics has been in operation in selected diploma level institutions since 1978-79. It applies science and technology through skill oriented non-formal training, technology transfer and technical support services.

Engineering Colleges

The higher educational institutions administered by the central government including IITs, IIMs, National Institute of technology, etc., provide reservation to the extent of 15 percent and 7.5 percent for SCs and STs students respectively.

Apart from reservation, thereis also relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks for admission for SC/ST students. Seats are also reserved in hostels. However, in institutions run by the State governments, the reservation percentages varies as per the state governments policy.

Special component plan and tribal sub-plan (SCP and TSP)

From the allotted budgets of the departments of elementary education and literacy and secondary and higher education, 15 percent and 7.50 percent are allocated under the special components plan (SCP) and the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes respectively.

The department of secondary and higher has earmarked notionally Rs. 333.75 crore and 166.88 crore for SCP and TSP respectively out of the plan outlay of Rs. 2225 crore for annual plan 2004 – 05. Department of elementary education and literacy has earmarked notionally Rs. 900 crore and 450 crore for SCP and TSP respectively out of the plan outlay of Rs. 6000 crore for annual plan 2004-05.

Literacy Rates

Adult literacy schemes of the national literacy mission have been implemented in nearly all the districts of the country. Special measures have been initiated to improve female literacy in low female literacy districts (45) through focused interventions by Zilla Saksharata Samitis, Non-government Organisations, women voluntary teachers and Panchayati Raj functionaries.

Emphasis is also being laid on provisions of life-long learning opportunities, imparting vocational skills, and improving income generation of neo-literates through the continuing education programme, which is being implemented in 272 districts.

The achievements made in the literacy rates of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are also significant compared to those in the 1991 census, i.e., 37,41 percent respectively. Besides, the growth in female literacy amongst the Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes is also at a faster rate as compared to male literacy figures.

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Tags: educational institutions, gainful employment, national eligibility test, self employement, teaching posts, university grants commission