Title:
ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND EMPLOYABILITY OF SCHEDULED TRIBES IN RAJASTHAN: AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Authors:
Vaishali Sharma and Anita Meena, India

Abstract:
Despite constitutional safeguards and targeted interventions, Schedule Tribe communities are facing significant challenges in accessing higher education and securing employment. Even among Schedule Tribe individuals who attain higher education, employability remains a concern. The present study aims to examine the status and trends of higher education attainment and employment for Schedule Tribes in Rajasthan. By using Johansen cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), the study also analyzes the long run and short run relationship between total enrolment of STs in higher education and total employment of STs in Rajasthan. The study adopted both descriptive and econometric approaches using secondary data of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), Gender Parity Index (GPI), number of teachers, non-teaching staff and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) employment in Rajasthan from 2012-13 to 2023-24. The results revealed that the enrolment of Schedule Tribes in Rajasthan is modest relative to the total enrolment in higher education. The Gross Enrolment Ratio for Schedule Tribes in Rajasthan remains below the national average, with pronounced gender disparities. The representation of Schedule Tribe teachers, non-teaching staff, and PSUs employees in Rajasthan is relatively low compared to the other social groups. Johansen Cointegration Test showed that there is significant long run relation between the variables. The probability output of Vector Error Correction Model revealed that there is significant short run relation between the variables.