Social Policies and Programmes for Tribal Development in Theni District.

The total literacy rate of the tribal in India is 47.1 per cent whereas it is 64.8 per cent at the national level. And on the basis of male – female percentage, the male accounts 59.2 percent (73.3 National) and female34.8 percent (53.7 National) For the development of a society there is need for equitable and balanced progress of all these sections of human communities and for this perspective, it is imperative to bring the weaker, deprived and discriminated sections such as Scheduled Tribes (STs) it India to the forefront of educational revolution and mainstream of National Development. Education imparts knowledge, and knowledge of self identity and human environment will infuse a sense of confidence, courage and ability among the weaker sections of the society to know and overcome their problems associated with exploitation and deprivation, and avail socio – economic and political opportunities extended to them. Although there is a significant increase in the literacy of population of all categories in India, the tribal’s are far behind form the national increase. Despite special initiatives on tribal education by the government, since independence, the achievement in not as per expectations and the problem of tribal education is still a matter of concern. Tribal education, being a district discipline with different socio – cultural fabrics and hardships, needs to be analyzed to focus on the problems associated with it.