Latest news with #AdiDravidarandTribalWelfareDepartment
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu hostels for underprivileged students to be renamed ‘Social Justice Hostels', says CM M K Stalin
CHENNAI: In a move aimed at reinforcing the principles of equality and inclusion, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday announced that all school and college hostels in Tamil Nadu for underprivileged students will henceforth be known as 'Social Justice Hostels'. These hostels, run by various state departments for students from backward and marginalised communities, will retain all existing facilities and benefits but will shed names that carry caste or religious identifiers. Currently, a total of 2,739 hostels function across the state, housing 1,79,568 students. These include 1,332 hostels under the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, accommodating 98,909 students; 727 hostels for Backward Classes with 41,194 students; 455 Most Backward Classes hostels with 26,653 students; 157 hostels for Denotified Communities with 9,372 students; and 20 hostels under Minority Welfare with 1,250 students. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Additionally, 48 hostels cater to 2,190 students from tribal communities. Stalin said that over the past four years, the govt made significant investments in upgrading infrastructure, enhancing food quality, and introducing skill development programmes in these hostels. While some hostels are named after leaders, their names will be retained with the suffix 'Social Justice Hostel'. The renaming is part of a broader effort by the Dravidian model govt to eliminate caste markers in public life. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A Apple Recomenda o Blinkist, O Melhor App Para Intelectuais Ao Redor do Mundo Blinkist Undo Referring to a recent Assembly speech, Stalin said that the term 'colony', often associated with caste-based segregation, will be removed from all govt records. He also reiterated his request to the Prime Minister to amend SC/ST community names ending with 'N' and 'A' and replace them with 'R', to restore dignity. Stalin added that a govt order issued on June 25 by the school education department laid out guidelines to curb caste-based violence and promote harmony among students. A panel led by retired judge K Chandru also recommended removing caste prefixes and suffixes from school names, a suggestion the govt has since accepted. 'These reforms are not merely symbolic,' Stalin said. 'They are part of our mission to build a future Tamil society rooted in equality, unity, and social justice.'
New Indian Express
03-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Mini-vans sanctioned for Pachamalai Hills to ease tribal students' commute, boost school access
TIRUCHY: To address long-standing challenges faced by the tribal students to access schools in the Pachamalai Hills of Tiruchy district, the Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned the procurement of five new mini-vans under a statewide initiative by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department. The scheme follows the success of a pilot project in the Kalvarayan Hills and aims to provide safe and reliable school transportation in remote tribal regions. According to a Government Order (GO) issued last month, each Trax Cruiser mini-van will cost Rs 15.74 lakh, and the total allocation for Tiruchy district is Rs 78.71 lakh. The scheme is fully funded by the state government, covering vehicle maintenance and fuel, along with salaries of drivers. In Tiruchy, the vans will be assigned to tribal residential schools to pick up and drop off students, especially those from interior villages, where daily commuting remains a major barrier to education, particularly for middle and high school students, officials said. However, primary school children in Pachamalai Hills largely don't face this issue, as most of the elementary schools are located within a few minutes walk from students' homes. Sources said 29 schools are operated by the department in Tiruchy district, with the majority situated in three key panchayats of the Pachamalai region. These include two higher secondary schools at Chinna Illupur and Top Sengattupatti, one high school at Sembuluchampatti, and two middle schools in Nagore and Thenpuranadu. The remaining institutions are elementary schools, with 22 located in the hills and two more in the foothills.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu Government's initiative to train tribal students for exams such as JEE, AIEEE be renewed, demands activist Karthik
As a recent Right to Information (RTI) Act reply has revealed that an initiative of the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department in 2013 to train about 50 tribal students every year for competitive examinations such as IIT JEE and AIEEE was dropped in the same year, an activist demands for the revival of the scheme to improve enrolment of tribal students in top institutions in the country. 'Though the sporadic successes of tribal students and Scheduled Caste students entering technical and medical institutions is being celebrated by the media and teachers, the exclusive government platform created for extending a constant support to their higher education should be renewed to increase their participation,' said S. Karthik, a Madurai based social activist. RTI activist suggests T.N. govt. to amend G.O. on giving special funds to Adi Dravidar schools Pointing out to the Government Order published on October 15, 2013, Mr. Karthik said the G.O. enabled training 50 tribal students for two years in private coaching centres at a cost of ₹2 lakh per student. Though such a similar training was already offered to Scheduled Caste students through Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation, the G.O. pointed out that for a similar training for tribal students too, private coaching centres could be roped in under Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act, 1998. 'As the training would include students studying in grade XI and XII, a total of ₹2 lakh would be allocated to each of the 50 students for the course of two years of the training,' it added. He said that though the exercise would entail an arduous process to persuade students from rural areas and hilly terrains to enrol for the training, the G.O. reminded that it was the duty of the government to democratise the opportunities which was available to only few sections of the society. 'Even when the scattered successes could be attributed to the government measures, a consolidation of efforts was mandatory to improve the enrolment of SC and tribal students in top institutions such as IIT and NIT,' he stated. 'As the initiative was lauded for its efforts to bring about a change in the realm of higher education in the State, dropping off in the same year was a disappointment,' he said. 'Learning about the need to include all students of the society in the run to excellence, the Tamil Nadu government should resume the programme at least from the current academic year,' he demanded.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu to empower over 60,000 hostel students with life skills and academic support
CHENNAI: In a significant step to enhance educational and personal development among marginalised communities, the Tamil Nadu government's Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department is set to roll out two major initiatives -- Social Labs and Learn-a-Lot -- targeting more than 60,000 students staying in government-run hostels across the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiatives are specially designed for first-generation learners from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, most of whose families earn less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum. While basic academic needs are met in these hostels, officials say there remains a gap in providing structured support for skill development, career readiness, and life skills. "According to the Heckman Curve, the highest rate of return on investment in human capital comes from early interventions. These two programmes aim to bridge critical gaps in students' academic and personal growth," a senior department official said. The Social Labs programme will cater to students in 174 college hostels, covering around 12,910 students. Its primary objective is to build employability, boost self-confidence, and foster a mentorship ecosystem. Training modules will include spoken English, personality development, MS Office, Tally, arts, and sports. "The goal is to ensure these students are not just college-ready but job-ready," the official added. On the other hand, the Learn-a-Lot programme is designed for school students residing in 997 hostels, benefitting nearly 44,500 children. This initiative adopts a holistic approach, combining curriculum-based academic support with co-scholastic development and life skill education. Students will receive training in STEM subjects, digital literacy, fine arts, sports, value education, and career guidance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Recognising the differing needs of school and college students, the department has tailored each programme accordingly. "The difference in both initiatives stems from the stage of life the students are in. Learn-a-Lot focuses on foundational skills, while Social Labs gears students toward professional and interpersonal growth," the official explained. Both programmes will be implemented through a zone-wise strategy and delivered in flexible formats -- online, offline, or blended -- depending on the infrastructure available in each location. Officials believe these initiatives will empower students to unlock their full potential and break the cycle of poverty through education and skill development.
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
TN to launch ‘Social Labs', ‘Learn-a-Lot' to empower over 60,000 hostel students
Chennai: In a significant step to enhance educational and personal development among marginalised communities, the Tamil Nadu government's Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department is set to roll out two major initiatives -- Social Labs and Learn-a-Lot -- targeting more than 60,000 students staying in government-run hostels across the state. The initiatives are specially designed for first-generation learners from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, most of whose families earn less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum. While basic academic needs are met in these hostels, officials say there remains a gap in providing structured support for skill development, career readiness, and life skills. 'According to the Heckman Curve, the highest rate of return on investment in human capital comes from early interventions. These two programmes aim to bridge critical gaps in students' academic and personal growth,' a senior department official said. The Social Labs programme will cater to students in 174 college hostels, covering around 12,910 students. Its primary objective is to build employability, boost self-confidence, and foster a mentorship ecosystem. Training modules will include spoken English, personality development, MS Office, Tally, arts, and sports. 'The goal is to ensure these students are not just college-ready but job-ready,' the official added. On the other hand, the Learn-a-Lot programme is designed for school students residing in 997 hostels, benefitting nearly 44,500 children. This initiative adopts a holistic approach, combining curriculum-based academic support with co-scholastic development and life skill education. Students will receive training in STEM subjects, digital literacy, fine arts, sports, value education, and career guidance. Recognising the differing needs of school and college students, the department has tailored each programme accordingly. 'The difference in both initiatives stems from the stage of life the students are in. Learn-a-Lot focuses on foundational skills, while Social Labs gears students toward professional and interpersonal growth,' the official explained. Both programmes will be implemented through a zone-wise strategy and delivered in flexible formats -- online, offline, or blended -- depending on the infrastructure available in each location. Officials believe these initiatives will empower students to unlock their full potential and break the cycle of poverty through education and skill development.
