Education
It is clear that backwardness in education is an important cause for economic backwardness. It is in the light of this fact, the Central and State Governments attach greater importance to scheduled tribes' economic progress. From infancy onwards greater emphasis is being paid to education programs. Major part of the money set apart for economic development is being spent on education.
Balavadis
Under this scheme 43 Balavadis were set up. This excludes the Balavadis run by Social Welfare Department. The scheme is meant to develop aptitude in learning; to encourage children for accelerating the development of their intellectual capacity to make them strongly attached to hygienic circumstances.

Nursery Schools/ Single Teacher Schools
The Scheduled Tribe Development Department runs 14 Nursery Schools and 12 Single Teacher Schools. The children studying in Nursery Schools are given, free mid day meals and dress in addition to lumpsum grant. Admission is being given to children of 3a to 5 a years old. The Single Teacher Schools set up with the intention of creating awareness about education, health and cleanliness of the surroundings among the scheduled tribes, especially among those who dwell in forlorn areas and spread education among their children.

Educational facilities upto the High School level
Apart from giving full fee concession to all scheduled tribe students, lumpsum grant and special stipend are also being given to them. In the case of students who fail in the final examinations of one class are being given half the amount of lumpsum grants. They are also being offered all other concessions in full. Special care is being taken to distribute the lumpsum grant before the end of the first month after the opening of the school.

Hostel facilities
One hundred and eleven prematric hostels and 3 G.R.B schools are being run to help the education of scheduled tribes students. It is those students who do not stay within reasonable distance from the schools are the beneficiaries. 30 students are given accommodation in each hostel. On the basis of available space, more students are admitted to hostels. In the hostels 10% of accommodation is being reserved for students of other communities. The inmates are provided with free meals, two pairs of dress in a year, educational aids and notebooks. Hostels functions under the supervision of a warden, assisted by other employees, watchmen, cooks etc. In order to provide the students with assistance to learn comparatively difficult subjects, facility for private tuition also is arranged. Until now there are only 33 hostels with permanent buildings. Strenuous efforts are being made to construct permanent buildings for the hostels which are now in rented buildings. In the Scheduled Tribes Centres, where schools run by the education department , 3 G.R.B schools with facility for primary education are also function. Approximately 6000 students have been provided with accommodation in one hundred and eleven hostels and 3 G.R.B schools.

Financial assistance for Boarding
The Scheduled Tribes students who seek admission in Boarding are being paid Rs.200/- per month apart from free uniform clothes.

Grant to Parents
The parent who send his/her kid regularly to school will get an annual grant of Rs. 100/-

Promotional Prize to students
Students who get either 45% or higher marks in the 8th and the 9th class are given RS 50 and those who get 45% or more marks in the 10th class examination, are given RS 200 as encouragement grant. Students who pass the S.S.L.C, Predegree, Degree examinations in the first class are offered RS 2500, 3000, 3500 respectively as encouragement for further studies. In addition to the above, encouragement is being given to 20 students in a district who pass the S.S.L.C examination with high marks at the rate of RS 1500 in the case of the Malappuram, Waynad and Palakkad districts, and in the case of other districts same amount is given to 10 students each. In the case of Predegree and Degree students 5 students each, who have scored highest marks from Wayanad, Palakkad and Malappuram districts are offered an award of Rs.2000; in the case of the other districts 2 students each are given RS 2500 as encouragement.

Assistance for study at Tutorials
Students who fail in the S.S.L.C examinations are given assistance in the following manner Lumpsum grant RS 100 Monthly Stipend RS 600 (60 x 10) Tuition fees RS 450 Assistance is being made available to students who fail in Predegree examinations also .

Enhanced assistance to capable students
50 students selected from among those of 4th class on the basis of the marks scored by them and they are sent to eminent residential schools. Under this scheme the total expenditure on account of tuition fee, residential facilities, boarding, dress and educational aids is met by the Government.

Educational recreation centres
Educational recreation centres are being run in the scheduled tribes residential centres. These centres are being provided with furniture, books, newspapers and recreational aids.

Bharatha Darsan / Kerala Darsan
30 boys who score high marks in S.S.L.C examination are selected for Bharath Darsan programme of 20 days whereas 30 girls students are selected for Kerala Darsan programme.

Encouragement in athletics and art forms.
Prizes are given to scheduled tribes students who score victories in art and sports activities at the state level in the following manner. Who get the first and second places at the state level competitions, prizes are given at the rate of RS 400 and RS 300. For district level winners RS 300 to RS 500 is offered. Apart from this, scheduled tribes students are admitted in the sports hostels run by Scheduled Caste development Department and further training in arts & sports is imparted.

Model Residential Schools
In order to provide high quality education to students belonging to scheduled tribes, model residential schools have been opened, one at Nallurnadu in Wayanad for boys and another at Kattela in Thiruvananthapuram for girls. A maximum of 30 students are benefited by this provision by which 27 students from among the schedule cast scheduled Tribe candidates and three from other candidates belonging to other communities are selected on the basis of a state level admission test. Thus total of 30 students are given admission in these schools. There is a proposal to start more schools of this kind.

Rajiv Gandhiji Memorial Asram School
Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Asram School has been started in Noolpuzha Panchayath in Wayanad district, with the purpose of giving accommodation and coaching belonging to efficient tribal students. Such schools will be established in Malappuram district also. Every year 30 boys and girls are admitted to the first year class of the school.

Provision for Clothing
Every year 2 pairs of uniform is given to each student belonging to lower primary classes of the tribal schools.

College Education
Students of the scheduled tribes are being exempted from paying fees including the examination fee. In addition to the above, they are given lumpsum grant and monthly stipend at various rates. The stipend for first 4 months is given as advance immediately after the college opening, in view of the possible delay in scrutinizing the applications. Government is paying special attention in this manner because they want the provisions to be implemented smoothly without fail. In order to providing adequate hostel facilities to students admission is given to them in cosmopolitan hostels and other recognized hostels. Educational assistance is offered to students undergoing studies in other states also.

Programmes for Training in Job
In order to make increased employment facilities scheduled tribes students 26 employment training centres have been established for their benefits under the employment authorities. The period of training is two years. 12 young men are given training at a time. The trainees are being given RS 200 per month in the first year and RS 150 in the second year as lumpsum grant; they are also given RS 150 per month as stipend. The materials required for training purposes is also given. There is a proposal to expand the training schools by adding new courses in consultation with N.C.V.T.

Production Training Centres
There are 3 production training centres under the department. It is proposed to appoint 12 specially trained persons in the centres in addition to 6 skilled workers. The trainees are being given lumpsum grants and monthly stipend. The skilled workers are being given remuneration in proportion to the work done by them.

Financial assistance for appearing for interview
Travelling allowance will be given to the candidates who appear for interviews conducted against vacancies in the central and state government services. They are paid either the exact bus fare or second class train charges.

Pre-examination training centres
For training candidates for appointment to the vacancies notified by the Kerala Public Service Commission, Union Public Service Commission, Banks and other institutions of public sector; 3 Pre-Examination Training Centres are functioning in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts. The candidates are given monthly stipend for this training. Applications for this are to be submitted to the principals of the centres in prescribed forms.

Technical Training in Private institutes
Monthly fee concessions and stipend are made available for Scheduled Tribes candidates studying in private institutes giving technical training courses.

Employment oriented education and other technical training
10% of seats available in all ITI's in the state are reserved for scheduled tribes and scheduled castes candidates. In addition to fee concessions, lumpsum grant and monthly stipend are given, Training is given in motor driving, Autorikshaw driving and Tractor driving etc.

Self Employment
Candidates who have undergone training in technical subjects are being given financial assistance for self employment to the tune of RS 3000. The Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Corporation carrying out various projects in this connection.

Assistance for AMRID
To find out training for self-employment, vocational training, camps of leadership training and providing tutorial facilities for students failing in S.S.L.C and Pre-degree examinations etc. have been taken up along with efforts to undertake various development activities for the young men and women belonging to Wayanad district. The Ambedkar Memorial Rural Institute for Development (A.M.R.I.D) at Kalpetta is being given assistance for various above said development activities.

Housing Project
The Scheduled Tribe Development Department undertakes the construction of houses with tried or concrete roofs, at a cost of RS 9000 and RS 12000 respectively. These amounts may be enhanced by 20% if the house is constructed in a remote area. There is provision for construction of bathroom, smokeless kitchen and electrification are also allowed in the houses built. Special efforts are taken to avoid middlemen and encourage owners to do the construction by themselves.

Assistance for maintaining thatched houses and for covering roof with tiles
An assistance of RS 200/- is given to Scheduled Tribe men for maintaining their thatched houses. For roof tiling there is a provision for giving RS 2500/-

Financial help electrification of houses
Financial assistance is given to electrify the houses of persons belonging to scheduled tribes at the rate of RS 400 per house.

Financial assistance for repairing the houses and wells
Financial assistance is gives at RS 3000 for repairing 7 years or more old houses of ST people. In order to repair wells an assistance upto a maximum of RS 500 is also offered.

Land for constructing houses
A provision is open to purchase land to scheduled tribe people for constructing house

Financial assistance for partners in mixed marriage
Assistance given upto a limit of RS 2000 to those who are suffering from hardships precipitated by mixed marriage. For this one of the partners should belong to scheduled Tribe. The annual income of the family should not exceed RS 8000. Application can be submitted after one year from the date of marriage.

Rational financial assistance
At times of exceptional urgency financial assistance is given for expenditure connected with death, medical treatment and rites performed after a death.

Financial assistance for marriage of poor scheduled tribe girls
Financial assistance not exceeding RS 5000 in each case is made available to poor scheduled tribe girls. People with annual income of RS 6000 only are eligible for this assistance.

Mahila Samajams
In order to develop social leadership qualities and organizational skills, financial assistance is given for organizing Mahila Samajams which work for the development among young women belonging to scheduled tribes. The maximum assistance is Rs.5000.

District /State level youth festival
District and State level youth festivals are organized every year with the participation of young women and men who have aptitude for sports and arts. The programmes are organized with due importance to traditional art forms.

Health Protection
The scheduled tribes people generally dislike the adoption of modern medicine system. But because of continued indoctrination and the sweeping social changes their dislike towards the modern medicine system is gradually vanishing. In the dwelling places of the scheduled tribe people 17 Ayurvedic dispensaries, one Ayurvedic hospital, 3 Allopathy hospitals and 5 Midwifery centres are functioning at present. In Thiruvananthapuram and Thodupuzha mobile medical units are functioning. Under the Ayurveda department in Attappadi, Nilampur and Wayanad areas mobile medical units are working for the benefit of the scheduled tribe population. In addition to these there are centres of medical treatment functioning under the Ayurveda department. As a part of the Mananthavadi Health Project, a hospital has started functioning for the benefit of scheduled tribe people. The construction work of the hospital buildings is at the final stage. The project is a Central Scheme bearing 75 % of the total cost of RS 1 crore and 79 lakhs. The aim of the project is to provide modern medical facilities. Research about the diseases prevalent among the scheduled tribes and awareness campaigns on these diseases Propaganda are also going on in connection with the Mananthavady Health Project. Every year medical camps are being conducted in selected places involving expert medical practitioners.

Mobile Employment Exchanges
In order to give information regarding the employment opportunities arising in government and non - government institutions and for enabling registration in employment exchanges and to ensure the maximum number of employment to the scheduled tribes, one mobile employment exchange is functioning at Mananthavadi and another at Thodupuzha.

Rubber Cultivation
From 1968 onwards rubber cultivation is being undertaken in tribal settlements with the help of the Rubber Board. This rubber cultivation which was introduced in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts will be extended to other districts also.

Mulberry Cultivation
With the intention of raising income of the scheduled castes, it is proposed to give all kinds of help to mulberry cultivation in all suitable places.

Special Central Assistance
By augmenting tribal sub plan schemes, various programmes are being undertaken every year. For this special assistance received from the Centre is being utilized. The schemes are helpful for economic development. The programmes aiming economic development are being given priority. Other programmes which can serve as a link in the development of scheduled tribe areas are also promoted.

Major programmes which are being implemented
1.   Financial assistance is given to landless scheduled tribe people for purchasing agricultural land.
2 . The most backward tribal settlements are selected and programmes implemented for all round      development of the place.
3 . In the lands belonging to scheduled tribes rubber cultivation is done with the help of Rubber Board.
4 . Various programmes are implemented for agricultural development of scheduled tribes.
5 . Unemployed young men and women are given financial assistance for self employment.
6 . Special employment schemes implemented for women belonging to scheduled tribes.
7 . Tribal farmers are provided with Bullocks meant for ploughing the land.
8 . Training schemes are implemented for educated young men and women for securing employment .
9 . Special programs are undertaken for the benefit of aborigine tribes.

Under the tribal sub plan schemes, all the state departments spent 2 % of their developmental resources for schemes beneficial to scheduled tribes. All the schemes coming under the tribal sub plan programmes including those of the scheduled tribe development department are being implemented with the approval of the district working group under the chairmanship of the district collector. In the planning of this programmes also this committee has a major role to deliver. Intensive Habitat Development Programme (I.H.D.P) The all-round development of the areas which have been denied basic facilities is the purpose of this scheme. Through these programmes time-bound progress is achieved in the fields of transport, drinking water, electricity, public health, agricultural development, housing and economic growth. A portion of the tribal sub plan allocation and the amount spent by every department for Jawahar Rosgar Yojana Scheme is earmarked for this purpose. The requirements of the project area is determined in a survey and programmes to be implemented are approved by the district working group and those are implemented on a time-bound basis.

Co-operative Societies
82 scheduled tribes co-operative societies are functioning. Of these 30 societies have been given the right to procure small forest products. By this arrangement it has becomes possible for the schedule tribes to get fair price for their forest products.