Beyond Access: Rethinking the Gap in Quality Education for Tribal Communities in Manipur

Abstract

Education is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of social equity and economic development. While India has made substantial strides in expanding educational access, tribal communities in Manipur continue to face multilayered barriers that compromise the quality and inclusivity of education. These challenges encompass poor infrastructure, inadequate teacher recruitment, linguistic mismatches, socio-cultural alienation, and persistent economic marginalisation. Though the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 outlines reforms for an inclusive and equitable education system, implementation in tribal regions like Manipur remains uneven. This paper critically evaluates the state of education among tribal communities in Manipur, examines the gaps in policy delivery, and offers recommendations for contextually appropriate interventions rooted in cultural relevance and community engagement.