Impact of Rural Development Programmes on Educational Advancement and Socio-Economic Empowerment among Oraon, Santal, and Munda Tribal Communities in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal: A Quantitative Study

                                                           Abstract

The present study entitled “Impact of Rural Development Programmes on Educational Advancement and Socio-Economic Empowerment among Oraon, Santal, and Munda Tribal Communities in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal: A Quantitative Study” examined the influence of government rural development and educational welfare schemes on tribal empowerment and educational progress. The study was conducted in selected Gram Panchayats of Bagdah Block, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, using a quantitative descriptive survey method (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). A total sample of 1200 respondents belonging to Oraon, Santal, and Munda tribal communities was selected through stratified random sampling. Self-made standardized scales and structured questionnaires were used for data collection.

The findings of the study revealed that rural development programmes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-G), along with educational welfare schemes such as Samagra Shiksha and tribal scholarship programmes, significantly improved educational participation, literacy, livelihood opportunities, and socio-economic empowerment among tribal households. Statistical analysis showed positive relationships between participation in development schemes and educational advancement (Kothari, 2004). The study also identified challenges such as lack of awareness, infrastructural limitations, and administrative delays affecting the effective implementation of welfare schemes in tribal areas.

The study concludes that integrated rural development and educational welfare initiatives play a vital role in promoting inclusive growth, educational empowerment, and sustainable socio-economic development among tribal communities in rural West Bengal.

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