REORIENTING TRIBAL EDUCATION: ROLE OF IGNOU IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

Tribals are geographically, socially isolated and marginalized communities. Despite concerted efforts, the performance of tribes in education is much lower which is due to improper policies to link culture and education. Only by sincere and efficient methods of the government providing better facilities, concessions, collaboration with private organizations/NGOs, creating sanitary programmes, teaching learning materials and flexible skill oriented learning, attitudinal change in tribal education be achieved. Open and Distance learning has contributed a lot to the development of education among tribals. IGNOU Regional Centre Port Blair in Andaman Nicobar Islands has made a significant contribution in higher education by educating 576 tribes in various programmes over a period of ten years.