Inequality of Higher Education on Narikoravar Community in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu: Social Exclusion Perspective

Indian society is characterized by a high degree of structural inequality based upon the organization of people into caste and ethnic groups. The caste system is highly exclusionary in nature exclusion is integral to the system and thus, a consequence of its basic features. Social exclusion between caste groups is ensured through the practices of endogamy and social separation. Indian democracy was essentially an upper caste democracy. Though the SC/STs were given reservation in the electoral, educational and employment spheres, they were relegated to the margins. SC/ST reservation was seen as a mechanism to overcome untouchability and tribalism. It did not address the caste system and it was not linked to the modern notion of social justice. Protected by the constitution, these minorities are still suffering discriminations and stay excluded of the dominant Hindu society. Educational performances of Tamil Nadu are often better than those of other states. Since 2010, in order to implement the Indian legislation (free and compulsory school education for all children aged 6 to 14 years), Tamil government builds educative structures that are still lacking in the country villages. It also pledged to improve the quality of all levels of education. Despite such resolutions and reforms, challenges remain current a lack of teachers training, gender disparities in professional teams, high dropout students from pre-school. Poverty is widespread, the illiteracy rate is high and most families live in government housing built during the 1970s. overcrowding is a problem in the community as there is not enough housing for everyone and families of 8 to 12 people often share these decrepit two-room houses, sleeping on the floor or outside under a mosquito net. One key hindrance to community development is social exclusion. Although the traditional Hindu caste system was outlawed in India, the Narikoravar still experience discrimination from others, often more powerful groups, who reflect, reinforce and enforce social attitudes and values which have continued to exist in spite of legislative changes. The Narikoravar education and welfare society, or news, is tackling social exclusion by inspiring tribes people to challenge the status-quo, raise their aspirations and access services which will improve the welfare of the community, by targeting health and education. (Gabriele Alex, 2009)