Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Apr 2: Demanding innovative educational schemes for Gujjars and Bakerwals to enhance their literacy rate among Scheduled Tribes, the speakers at a programme organised here by Tribal Research and Tribal Foundation today stated that Education Ministry must devise a well knit plan for the nomads keeping in view their migratory way of life.
The programme was held on the topic ‘Education and Tribes of J&K’ and presided over by noted tribal researcher Dr Javaid Rahi in which a number of tribal elders participated.
Dr Rahi, in his presidential address said that this is a matter of grave concern that the Government census data 2011 says that 7 out of every 10 Gujjars and Bakerwals of State are illiterate and added that this is quite alarming and distressing which requires immediate attention of the policy makers. He also flagged the female literacy rate, saying that the Gujjar-Bakerwal women is worst sufferer with 82.2% illiteracy as said in the data released by Registrar General of India and said this sector requires immediate steps.
“The State Government should initiate new educational scheme to tackle this serious problem of illiteracy”, the speakers said and exhorted the Government to view the large disparity in literacy rates of Gujjars-Bakerwals in the State, who have lagged in almost all socio-economic parameters and promote educational development for them on a “mission mode”.
Ch Abdul Ghani Chouhan, Dilwar Chowdhary, Dr Shafiq Kassana, Ameer Din, Khadam Chashti and others also spoke on the occasion.
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