Many schools run by the SC/ST Welfare Department in the state are in poor shape, said former VC of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University V Vasanthi Devi. 

Speaking at a seminar on SC/ST schools, conducted by Tamil Nadu Pazhanudi Makkal Sangam here on Sunday, she said that though the government is spending a lot, the teachers appointed were not coming regularly to schools, especially in hilly areas, where special residential schools were functioning for tribals. 

"As per the norm, the tribal students have to stay in the hostels but most of the teachers won't be willing to stay there. Hence, in most cases, the students were given food there in the evening itself and asked to go home.

As per the special component scheme and tribal sub-plan, funds should be allotted for the welafare of people belonging to SC and STs according to their population in the budget and it must be spent for them only. But the fund is often diverted for other purposes like laying roads and constructing buildings etc." 

Former finance minister P Chidambaram himself admitted in the parliament that the fund allotted for SC/ST welfare was diverted for commonwealth games. As per the Right to Education Act, adequate teachers must be posted in all schools to help students but many schools, run by SC/ST Welfare department, do not have adequate teaches

V Vasanthi Devi, Former VC of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University

The schools are also in a poor shape due to lack of infrastructure. Ironically, the SC/ST school land and buildings come under the Revenue Department. Due to this, lot of malpractices are happening, she said, adding, "In Andhra Pradesh, the schools for tribal students are called Ashram and they were maintained well. But, here, the schools for tribals are poorly maintained."