For tribals bread is more important than education. Many tribal families have to struggle hard to maintain their existence. Along with studies many tribal children have to work in their houses and fields. As a result many tribal children drop out from the schools. Although, there has been a substantial increase in the literacy rates of STs during the last three developmental decades, the gap between the literacy rates of STs and those of the general population is not only persisting, but also found to be widening. Many of them are not aware about education, schools, colleges, universities, and degrees. The illiterate parents do not consider their primary responsibility to give education to their children. The medium of instruction is another hindrance to promote the education among the tribes. Most of the tribal languages do not have a script of their own. Even in tribal areas the numbers of tribal teachers is very less. Communication problem always arises between the students and the teachers. The pace of progress of enrolment of both ST boys and girls at the middle level between 1990-91 and 1999-2000 has been quite impressive, as compared to that of the total population. The drop-out rate, which is another crucial indicator in the field of educational development, also shows that there has been a steady decline in respect of both general and ST categories. Literacy and education is higher in converted tribals than non-converted ones. Among the tribals female illiteracy is more acute. A large number of young tribal men and women are unemployed. They are not able to get jobs that can keep them occupied throughout the year. They need to be helped in finding secondary source of income by developing animal husbandry, poultry farming, handicrafts in the tribal areas. Income generation is so inadequate that the tribals have to depend money-lenders. Further, the incidence of poverty among STs still continues to be very high with 45.86 and 34.75 per cent living below the poverty line in rural and urban areas. For the purpose of employment the tribals migrate to different places inside the State or outside for work and wages. As labourers they work at construction sites, small industries and factories etc. Many of the tribals are exploited and oppressed at work places.