Although literacy rate has increased among all social groups, rate of literacy continues to be low among the SCs as compared to non-SCs. At the same time, there is an increase in the number of educational institutions in Tamil Nadu. A provision has to be made to provide non-formal education to reduce the illiterate population. Education is the most important instrument for social engineering and hence incentives need to be made to accelerate enrolment in education. Although there is an improvement in the rate of literacy and the rate of enrolment, and a considerable reduction in the out-of school children, but disparity still exists between SCs and Non SCs. Government have to address the issues which are relevant in bridging such gaps between the SCs and non-SCs. The real solution to these problems lies in the formulation of a strategy of inclusive education wherein children of all social groups, irrespective of social and economic background get admitted to primary education and able continue their education upto the tertiary level, unhindered by non-academic parameters.

Indian Council of Social Science Research

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