Access and affordability in higher education: A study of nomadic tribes of Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

The current paper attempts to examine and comprehend the reasons for low literacy level, higher dropout rate and lack of proper education among Nomadic tribes of Jammu and Kashmir. This paper discusses the current scenario of the educational level of the Nomadic community as well as the role of government institutions and their programmes. Many of the programs did not benefit the tribal community because the programmes were not contextualized and localized considering regional, geographical and physical differences and obstacles. Other reasons for not getting the benefits of the programs by the nomads are lack of political will, issues of affordability and accessibility, and lesser attention on the development of tribal areas. The objective of the current paper is to highlight the status of higher education among the nomadic tribes of Jammu and Kashmir, various initiatives taken by the government to promote education among the nomadic tribes and the challenges faced by them to achieve higher education.