SC, ST literacy rate poor in state: CAG report

Chennai, May 16: The literacy rate among Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Tamil Nadu was below the over all rate as per 2001 census despite huge funds being spent for them, according to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the year ended March 31, 2007 said.

Talking to newspersons here today, Accountant General Commercial and Receipt Audit, Tamil Nadu S Murugaiah said the difference in the literacy rate of ST and the overall literacy rate was more pronounced.

He said the difference between the overall literacy rate and ST literacy rate for both male and female was more pronounced at 32.18 and 31.77 per cent, indicating the need for immediate attention in the education development of STs.

According to the report, delay in opening of schools and hostels for SC/ST students and failure to provide proper infrastructure in schools adversely affected the education of the students and the amenities available to them.

The pass percentage of SC/ST children in tenth and 12th standard examinations has dropped from 2002-03 onwards and was much lower than the overll pass per centage during 2002-06 and needs immediate attention.

Non-compilation of data on number of SC and ST students eligible for various concessions and scholarships resulted in provision of funds for various schemes on their education development on an adhoc basis in the budget estimates leading to non-extension of such concessions and scholarships in time, as envisaged under various directions of the Union Government and State Government.

This along with belated release of required funds resulted in subsequent academic year defeating the purpose of providing scholorship.

The functioning of district level offices of the concerned department with most of the staff belonging to another department, resulted in poor implementation and monitoring of the schemes taken up for SCs/STs.

UNI