PM Modi questions the logic behind ashram schools in tribal areas

By NewsGram Staff-Writer

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has questioned the tribal ministry regarding the utility and logic behind running expensive ashram residential schools in tribal area.

The ashram schools were started for tribal children in 1990-91as a residential schools in remote tribal dominated villages for increasing the literacy rate among the tribals.

The union government has been bearing the costs incurred in the construction of ashram schools whereas the state governments manages the day-today affairs of the school.

The Times of India report quotes a government official as saying: ""The Prime Minister pointed out that with increasing and improving road connectivity why the parents would want to send their child to a school which is far away from home. They would much rather keep the child home and send to a nearby school."

Modi also questioned the utility of residential schools when parents usually prefer to keep children at home and wish to send them to nearby schools. The Prime Minister's Office further requested clarification regarding the utility in the light of a recent survey result that showed an average of two schools in tribal dominated villages. The issue of gross mismanagement in many of the ashram schools was also raised by the PM.

The concerns raised by the PM has triggered a discussion within the government and there is a possibility of re-framing the whole scheme.

The tribal ministry has sought feedback from the state governments regarding the functioning and condition of the ashram schools in their states.