Educational Disparities across Dalits in Karnataka

Abstract

Though the Karnataka state is striving towards achieving universal literacy at a faster pace, but still 35% of the Scheduled Castes population and 38% of the Scheduled Tribes population is still illiterate. The following study analyzed the educational status of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and briefly commented on the various educational policies and programmes being implemented in the state for the welfare of dalits. It is found that the literacy rates of Dalits are far behind the benchmark goal of 85% by the Planning Commission. Female SCs and STs are quite worse off when compared to male SCs and STs. This is a cause of concern and one of major challenge that the State should address on a priority concern. The Gross Enrolment Ratio in Secondary Education and Higher Education across Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is quite lower than the GER goal of Planning Commission. Achieving better enrolment and passing achievement rates from lower to higher stages of education across dalits are some of the major issues that need to be tackled. Further they should also follow the Four A’s framework of the Right to Education at each stage of education for enhancing the capabilities of marginalized groups in order to fulfill the objective of fostering inclusive growth in the state.. It will go long way in sustaining the Dalits improvement in the growth process.