Context:
- A model tribal school run by the Zilla Parishad in Hiwali village, Trimbakeshwar taluka, Nashik district (Maharashtra), which successfully checked seasonal migration of tribal families, is now facing a serious threat due to acute water scarcity.
- The school became a replicable model for mainstreaming tribal children into formal education.
Key Highlights:
Case Facts / Educational Model:
- The school caters to children from remote tribal hamlets, earlier prone to seasonal migration with parents in search of work.
- It follows an activity-based, experiential learning model with focus on:
- Reading, writing, Constitution basics
- Agriculture, robotics, and practical learning
- Zero dropout rate achieved.
- Children are integrated into mainstream schools after initial grounding.
Water Scarcity Issue:
- The school depends on water tankers, with availability becoming uncertain.
- Teachers fear that continued water shortage may:
- Force families to migrate again
- Reverse years of educational progress
Community and Administrative Efforts:
- Villagers have adopted rainwater harvesting and solar-powered systems.
- Nearby villages like Kolghar developed solar pumps and storage tanks.
- Appeals made for permanent water infrastructure support.
Official Response:
- Nashik Chief Executive Officer acknowledged the issue.
- Assured efforts to provide tap water connections and water storage facilities.
Significance:
- Demonstrates the link between basic infrastructure and human development outcomes.
- Highlights vulnerabilities of tribal education models to ecological stress.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Water scarcity affecting tribal education.
- Cause: Inadequate water infrastructure in hilly tribal areas.
- Government Angle:
- Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions
- Rural water supply schemes
- Benefits of Model School:
- Prevented migration
- Improved learning outcomes
- Challenges:
- Climate variability
- Infrastructure gaps
Relevant Mains Points:
- Facts & Provisions:
- Education and water as basic public goods.
- Tribal welfare under Fifth Schedule areas.
- Keywords: Tribal Education, Seasonal Migration, Water Security, Human Development.
- Static Linkages:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 & 6)
- Inclusive growth
- Way Forward:
- Permanent water solutions (pipelines, check dams)
- Convergence of Jal Jeevan Mission and education schemes
- Scaling up successful tribal school models
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper I: Indian Society – Tribal Issues
- GS Paper II: Governance, Social Sector
- GS Paper III: Water Resources, Sustainable Development