Creating history in tribal education

Many join school after failing higher secondary exam, mainly English and Maths

Tribal students at Girivikas Gurukulam in Palakkad. Photo: K. K. Mustafah

The Girivikas Gurukulam project pushed forward by the Nehru Yuvak Kendra (NYK) and the Scheduled Tribes Department is now creating history by helping hundreds of tribal youngsters in Palakkad district to pass higher secondary education and pursue their professional dreams.

Interestingly, most of the tribal students approach Girivikas located at Malampuzha, near here, after failing in the higher secondary examination, especially in English and Mathematics. The institution with boarding facility initiates one-year training programme for these students. The students pass the examination and opt for higher education.

“You can see the results all around,’’ said M. Anilkumar, district youth coordinator of NYK. Though the pass percentage at Girivikas was 100 per cent till a couple of years ago, a small variation occurred in the recent years.

‘‘We have decided not to compromise on pass percentage. We have reconstituted the faculty here with teachers having postgraduation and B Ed. Some of them have passed national and State eligibility tests,’’ Mr. Anil Kumar said, who controls the administration. The project, started as an experiment, aims at providing education and a congenial environment for study for tribal students in the district. It is one of the very few success stories from among the government projects for tribal people in Palakkad, Mr. Anil Kumar said.

Informal teaching

In 2004, the government allotted 1.5 acres of land and Rs.60 lakh for the construction of Girivikas complex. The project, following the informal Gurukula system of education, was started by the then District Collector, Ajayakumar.

All-round care

The project aims at moulding the personality of tribal youth by imparting lessons on hygiene, discipline, and hard work.

They are taught physical exercise, yoga, morning and evening prayers, and sports and games. Cultural programmes and celebration of national days and festival are also getting organised.

So far, 1,200 tribal students had passed out from Girivikas, and many of them had secured jobs in government and private services.

Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan had promised funds from his local area development fund for constructing a new hostel for the Girivikas which at present has 22 boys and 24 girls.