Evaluation of Scheduled Tribe Girls' Hostels In Odisha

Abstract

Establishment of the programme of hostels for ST girls' has many positive aspects like (i) reducing financial burden on poor tribals in sending their daughters to schools, (ii) enhancing enrolment of ST girls, (iii) removing the problem of travel among ST girls to schools, (iv) enhancing their school attendance, (v) increasing results in annual examinations, (vi) increasing retention and reducing dropout, (vii) reducing gender disparity in education, (viii) development of skill, (ix) long term goal of social and women empowerment etc. At the same time the system of hostel programme is also associated with many problems like (i) safety and security of the boarders, (ii) the risk factor relating to boarders, (iii) their health and hygiene, (iv) appropriate and timely provision of food, (v) provision of hostel amenities, and (vi) provision of other facilities like water supply, civic amenities etc. However, in order to know if the system of establishment of hostels for ST girls has succeeded in achieving the desired objectives, it was felt necessary to conduct an assessment study through field observations to factually establish the hypothesis that the system has made a substantial dent towards achieving the set objectives. Besides, such a study can give valuable feedbacks on a number of aspects of the process and the system like (i) problems faced by boarders, (ii) deficiencies existing in the system, (iii) operational impediments, (iv) role played by teachers, programme officers, as also (v) the strengths and weaknesses in the system which will help in streamlining the system and bringing in improvements by way of taking policy initiatives. Keeping this in view, the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI), under the ST and SC Development Department of Government of Orissa felt it necessary to conduct a study under the caption, "Evaluation of Scheduled Tribe Girls' Hostels in Odisha" .