Educational Status of Secondary School Tribal Learners of Mayurbhanj, Odisha

In India the tribal groups are considered as the weakest groups of the population in terms of poverty, illiteracy, lack of developmental facilities, socio economic status, primary health facilities etc. Among all the states of India, Odisha is known as a tribal state which includes sixty-two tribes.  Out of thirty districts of Odisha, Mayurbhanj district is having around 60% of its population consisting of scheduled tribe.  To know more about the academic achievement of the tribal learners and problems faced by them in the process of getting secondary education, the researchers have purposefully chosen Karanjia and Jashipur block of Mayurbhanj and used Descriptive Survey research design. In total, 200 class-IX tribal learners of 20 secondary schools were selected for the study.   Two self-made tools i.e., Academic Achievement Score List and Focus Group Discussion for students were used to collect data for the study. The data was analysed with the help of percentage analysis technique. The findings of the study reveal that, maximum numbers of tribal learners of Mayurbhanj district are good in their academic achievement scores. But they are facing problem in schools due to Odia as the medium of instruction; low self-confidence; shyness and inferiority feelings; lack of teacher’s attention; peer group pressure; low family income; unconducive environment for study; work burden in home; poor health and nutrition; gender inequality in the family and early marriage etc.  Tribal learners are expecting good infrastructural and material facilities in schools; and counselling programmes for their mental wellbeings.