Which are the more educated as well as the better developed tribes of West Bengal and what steps can be taken to speed up the advancement of the tribes at a lower level of development?

It may be added here that the education and development status of tribes can be a complicated matter involving different socio-economic factors. Moreover, today no specific data on the development level of tribes in West Bengal will be found pertaining to education and many related spheres; however, some general comments can be made on this fact. 

1. Lepcha and Bhutia

The Bhutia and Lepcha populations, who mainly occur at the Darjeeling district, have been able to approach colleges and educational facilities in the steep areas. The district has the popular history and these two villages take education as essential things in life.

2. Santals

Santal is one of the most numerous tribes in West Bengal. The government along with various NGOs have also conducted the developmental programs to impart education along with promoting health care in the Santal dominated areas.

3. Other Tribes

The status of education and development of some of the other major tribes of Oraon, Munda, Limbu, Sherpa, Tamang, Rabha, and Bedia would have variations depending on several factors like their geographical location, the accessibility to the educational facilities, and the initiatives of the governments.

Such debates need to be opened with sensitivity, as generalization can rarely be applied because the individual experiences within each tribe are more often than not very different. Key development indicators should also include dimensions of healthcare, economic opportunities, and quality of life that go beyond just educational achievement.

For detailed current information on the levels of education and development among particular tribal communities in West Bengal, one should consult official documents, government reports, census, or studies pertaining to the community in question.

What Needs to be Done for the Development of Tribal Population is Multifaceted and Sustainable. Following are a few of the measures the policy framework may decide for furthering the development of tribals:

 

1. Education

Infrastructure – Develop and expand the educational infrastructure in tribal areas. This would be including schools, colleges, and vocational training centers.

   Provide Quality Education – Quality education that should be provided by well-trained teachers and appropriate curriculum that would respect and make way for local cultures.

 

2. Healthcare-

   Medical Facilities- Increase access to the medical facilities in the tribal regions. These would include primary healthcare centers and hospitals.

Health Education: Health literacy programs will be organized to make tribal people aware of methods of keeping hygiene and sanitation and preventive healthcare.

 

3. Livelihood Opportunities

   Skill Development: Skill development programs to make the people in the tribal areas equipped with some market-friendly skills to make them ready to develop economically.

   Agricultural Support: Supported for sustainable agriculture for food security and income generation.

 

4. Land and Resource Rights

Land Ownership: To protect the land rights of tribal people, so they can't be displaced, and land should act as a means of economic activities.

 Resource Management: Involve tribal communities in the sustainable management of natural resources for ecological balance.

 

5. Social Inclusion and Empowerment-

 Community Participation: Promote lively participation of tribal communities in processes through which decisions that concern them are made.

Gender Equality- Gender equality and empowerment of women in tribal communities should be enabled through education and economic opportunities.

 

6. Cultural Preservation

   Cultural Heritage- Relate cultural heritage preservation, and promotion with respect to tribal communities' value; recognize it.

  

Very Important - Language Preservation-Promote conservation and usage of native language.

  

7. Infrastructure Development

Connectivity- Construct improved communication networks so that tribal areas can be connected with the cities and markets. This will also help to increase the economic activities.

 Infrastructure-

  Developing both the physical and social infrastructure in and around tribal areas

  Basic services of electricity, safe drinking water, individual household latrines, etc.

 

8. Governance of Policies

   Special Policies- Making and implementing policies that shall be directed to the tribal communities by accepting their unique problems.

-Inclusive Development- Development plans must be inclusive in catering to the needs of the diverse groups belonging to different tribal communities.

 

9. Community and NGO Partnership Programs

   PPP- Public-private partnership and partnership across various other sectors are encouraged to be incorporated through NGOs and community-based agencies to work on tribal development projects.

 

10. Research and Data Collection

Data Collection: Regular surveys and studies in place for collection of data on the socio-economic conditions of the tribal community, relating the intervention to the requirement.

 The participatory nature of these steps involves a multi-stakeholder approach between governmental, non-governmental organisations, other organisations, and local communities. At the same time, tribal communities' developmental processes should respect their autonomy and unique cultural identity.