A Study Of Factors Affecting Education Of Tribal Students In Parvathipuram Manyam District

Abstract

India is a land with many cultures, faiths, food habits, traditions and rituals, way of life, united like the petals of a single flower. The national movement and the exposure to the western culture mediated by the colonial rule made Indians self-conscious of their cultural identity. Tribals in India present a significant degree of cultural and ethnic diversity. They differ in their socio-cultural levels as well as in their behaviour patterns. The Article 46 of the Indian Constitution talks about promotion of educational and economic interests of people belonging to Schedule Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other weaker sections. The education of tribal children can significantly be influenced by different socio-cultural and economic factors. There is a gap between school culture and family culture of children, creating a situation of cultural mismatch, resulting into several problems that obstruct education of tribal children. The socio-economic status of tribal students has a direct bearing on their education at secondary level. The present study is an attempt to explore the socio-economic status of tribal students and its impact on their academic achievement. The study was conducted using survey method. The sample of the study consists of 600 students (300 boys and 300 girls) selected randomly from 20 Ashram schools in Parvathipuram Manyam District. The data were collected from the students using a questionnaire. The variables considered for the study include gender, parental income and location of the school. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the gender and location of the school have no influence on the perceptions of tribal students towards their socio-economic status affecting education. However, parental income has a significant positive relationship with their socio-economic status.