Staff Reporter/New Delhi

Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Monday laid the foundation stone of two hostels for tribal students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). There will be one girls and one boys hostel.

Secretary Ministry of Tribal Affairs SK Naik and JNU vice-chancellor Asis Datta were present at the ceremony. Besides, professors and students of the varsity were also there.

The hostels have been funded by the Tribal Affairs Ministry. The projects have received a sanction of Rs 2.33 crore. This represents 50 per cent of the total construction cost of Rs 4.66 crore, as first installment of grant during 2000-2001.

According to an official statement the balance amount will be provided to JNU depending on the progress made in the construction of the residential hostels.

According to the 1991 Census, there are 67.7 million tribals who constitute 8.08 per cent of the total population of the country. However, considerable disparities persist in literacy and educational development among the tribal population.

As against the national average of 52 per cent, the literacy rate is 29.6 per cent. These disparities are compounded by higher drop-out rates in formal education. This resulted in their low representation in higher education.

The release stated that providing hostel facilities will go a long way in meeting the needs of tribal boys and girls seeking higher education.