ELEMENTARY EDUCATION AND TRENDS IN TRIBAL ENROLMENT

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the educational participation of tribal students at the elementary stage of school education in district Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir. The study emphasized the enrolment of tribal students at various Grades (I, V, VI, VIII) at different points of time; compare the enrolment shares on a gender basis, and assess the change in patterns of enrolment shares from the initial Grade i.e., Grade I to terminal Grade i.e., Grade VIII of the elementary stage of school education. The study is descriptive. The official enrolment records and figures of tribal Gujjar and Bakarwal students were accessed through the concerned educational offices of the district. The investigators developed the information blank to seek Grade wise (I, V, VII, VIII) enrolment records of overall and tribal students. To analyze and visualize the collected enrolment data, tabulation, percentage statistics, and graphical representation was used. The study concluded that tribal share in overall enrolment comprises a significant portion at various Grades (Grade I 36.61 %., Grade V 34.51 %, Grade VI 31.57 %, and Grade VIII 27.74 %) of the elementary stage. The results indicate decline and gender disparity have been observed in tribal enrolment. At the elementary stage, i.e., from Grade I to Grade VIII, the tribal enrolment shares declined by -.8.87 percent (Boys -8.27 percent; Girls –9.25 %).