As a recent Right to Information (RTI) Act reply has revealed that an initiative of the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department in 2013 to train about 50 tribal students every year for competitive examinations such as IIT JEE and AIEEE was dropped in the same year, an activist demands for the revival of the scheme to improve enrolment of tribal students in top institutions in the country.
“Though the sporadic successes of tribal students and Scheduled Caste students entering technical and medical institutions is being celebrated by the media and teachers, the exclusive government platform created for extending a constant support to their higher education should be renewed to increase their participation,” said S. Karthik, a Madurai based social activist.
RTI activist suggests T.N. govt. to amend G.O. on giving special funds to Adi Dravidar schools
Pointing out to the Government Order published on October 15, 2013, Mr. Karthik said the G.O. enabled training 50 tribal students for two years in private coaching centres at a cost of ₹2 lakh per student.
Though such a similar training was already offered to Scheduled Caste students through Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation, the G.O. pointed out that for a similar training for tribal students too, private coaching centres could be roped in under Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act, 1998.
