Population Distribution and Educational Status of Santals in Jharkhand, 1961-2011

By : Latika Besra , Sohel Firdos

Page No: 321-336

Abstract
The study investigates the population concentration of the Santals, the largest tribal group in eastern India, followed by an analysis of trends of the change in its population over the last 50 years in the state of Jharkhand. Subsequently, it reflects on the educational attainments of Santals in Jharkhand. This study also examines the correlation between the Santal population concentration and the Santal literacy rate in the state. We have found that the educational scenario has not changed to the expected levels despite government interventions over the last 50 years. According to the location quotient values, it is evident that nine out of twenty-four districts had a significantly higher concentration of Santal population. The Pearson Correlation method is employed to study the correlation between the Santal population concentration and the literacy rate of Jharkhand for 2001 and 2011. It was found that in 2001, the relationship between Santal population concentration and literacy rate was positively correlated and vice versa.  Further, the districts with a high concentration of Santal population, such as Jamtara and Dumka, have much lower literacy rates of 46.57% and 44.78%, respectively. Furthermore, the districts with a lower concentration of Santal population, like Garwah and Latehar, have higher literacy rates of 79.25% and 73.13% as per the 2011 census. From DISE and ASER, it was observed that the learning achievement in elementary education is poor and needs more effort. These findings establish a strong case for requiring more educational resources in areas with a high Santal population to uplift their literacy levels.

Authors :
Latika Besra : Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Geography, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India. 
Sohel Firdos : Department of Geography, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/ATNAGI.2024.44.02.6