Maharashtra government to set up education commissionerates for tribals

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government is mulling setting up separate education commisionarates to provide education to students from the tribal community.


The Adivasi Shikshan Ayuktalayas (Tribal Education Commissionerates) will come up in four divisions of the state, with head office in Nashik, said Minister of State for Tribal Development Rajendra Gavit.

"The emphasis will be given on providing quality education to tribal students," he said.

On poor condition of ashram shalas (tribal residential schools), the minister said that the government was working towards improving the infrastructure.

"The government has taken control over 80 per cent of ashram shalas. The work to improve their infrastructure is on. We still have to acquire 20 per cent of these ashram shalas," Gavit said, conceding that most of the tribal residential schools were constructed in 1972 and are in shambles.

He said that tribal students were suffering due to poor infrastructure and academic facilities at ashram shalas and the supply of low-quality nutritional supplements.

There are 552 ashram shalas in the state and the cost to upgrade them would be around Rs 650 crore. "There is no shortage of funds. Soon we will table a proposal in this regard before the Cabinet," Gavit added.