Despite the government’s ambitious schemes and projects aimed at bringing tribal children to school, the dropout rates in tribal haadis (settlements) are a specific area of concern. A survey by an NGO working in Hunsur taluk in Mysuru district underlines this issue.
The survey — conducted by Hunsur-based NGO DEED (Development through Education) in 16 haadis of the taluk — found that 95 children had dropped out of schools and were working as labourers in tobacco and ginger fields and coffee plantations, besides engaging in cattle grazing. The NGO has submitted a report to the Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru district and appealed for tackling the issue, particularly for strengthening ashram schools for tribal children.
S. Srikanth, convener of DEED, told The Hindu that this was a sample survey conducted in 16 of the 33 haadis in Hunsur taluk. He said they found 95 tribal children had dropped out over the last 16 months. Most dropouts — 20 children — were in Mangaluru Mala haadi. The haadi has no school.
He contradicted a survey conducted by by the National Child Labour Scheme Society (NCLSS), Mysuru, from December 5 to 17, 2016, which concluded that no tribal children had dropped out of school.
Re-survey ordered
Following the DEED report, the Assistant Labour Commissioner of Mysuru has directed the NCLSS to conduct a comprehensive re-survey and submit the report in the prescribed form on child labour as the earlier survey was based only on the information collected from the headmasters of government schools. DEED is insisting on a joint survey by the departments of Labour, Social Welfare, and Revenue to get authentic information. “It has to be a door-to-door survey,” Mr. Srikanth said.
P.K. Ramu, a tribal leader from Mysuru district, said hurdles in getting caste certificate and bank account were among the factors leading to children dropping out. He pointed out that most children dropped out after passing class seven.
