Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 24: The State Government must initiate innovative educational schemes for nomadic tribes keeping in view their difficult lifestyle and migratory way of life.
This was stated by a tribal study group during a programme organized on the topic “Illiteracy—Gujjars-Bakerwals”, by Tribal Research and Tribal Foundation here today. The programme was presided over by well known Gujjar scholar, Dr Javaid Rahi, while a number of tribal writers, students and youth were present.
Dr Javaid Rahi said that this is a matter of grave concern that the Government census data of 2011 says that 7 out of every 10 Gujjars and Bakerwals of State are illiterate. He added that this is quite alarming rather distressing. He also flagged the female literacy rate, saying that the Gujjar-Bakerwal woman is worst sufferer with 82.2 per cent illiteracy as said in the data released by Registrar General of India. He said only innovative educational scheme can tackle this serious problem of illiteracy.
The speakers exhorted the Government to view the large disparity in literacy rates of Gujjars-Bakerwals in the State, which have lagged in almost all socio-economic parameters, and promote educational development for them on a “mission mode”.
They said that both the tribal groups are facing extremely low literacy rates in comparison to other tribes of Jammu and Kashmir and suggested affordable and inclusive education programme for tribal groups.
The speakers suggested that ‘Forced Schools” should be opened to educate the nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwal children as most of the parents are not ready to send their kids to schools owing to migratory way of life and low tribal economy.
They said that the Government should start same type of compulsory free education for the children of Ajjhari (Shepherded Gujjars), Manjhi (Cattle reared Gujjars) as the parents are deliberately denying education to their children and using them as human resource in their day-to-day work.
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