Published Paper Details:

This research investigates the challenges on education of scheduled tribes in the undivided Koraput, Bolangir and Kalahandi (KBK) districts of Odisha, India. The study utilises secondary data collected from 510 households through a well-designed interview schedule during 2016-17. This study investigates the effects of diverse supply and demand factors that affect the enrolment of tribal children, employing tables, percentages, ratios, and the Probit regression model as analytical tools. The enrolment of children from Scheduled Tribes is notably influenced by a range of supply-side factors, such as the proximity to educational institutions, linguistic barriers, school operating hours, curriculum demands, and inadequate infrastructure. Challenges on the demand side encompass parental poverty, large family size, cost of education, parental illiteracy, and domestic responsibilities. The phenomenon of economic hardship serves as a significant determinant of low enrolment rates, particularly affecting children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This demographic, especially females involved in domestic labour, encounters elevated opportunity costs and extended working hours, which further exacerbate their educational challenges. Regression analysis indicates a positive correlation between enrolment and variables such as family economic status and parental education, while the proximity to forested areas has a discernible impact on attendance rates. Enrolment exhibits an inverse relationship with the distance from educational institutions and a positive correlation with the quality of school infrastructure. Thus, parental motivation is considered crucial for reducing dropout rates and enhancing enrolment among ST children. Improving the enrolment ST children requires that educational institutions located in residential areas are sufficiently equipped with essential infrastructure amenities.