81' rndia o,as one of the first developing countries to appry the principle ofqranting linguisf,ic, regionar autonony to different states t.,ithin rndia, steps arecurrently being taken to inprove the accessibiliEy of education for nenbers ottribes and scbeduled castes. inctuding entlrery free education up to the secondarylevel. rn addition, an increasing nunber of schoorchildren and students fronschgduled castes and tribes are being given financial assistance for secondary,high school and university education (see the seventh pertodic report ot rndia(3ERD/c/gI/Add-26)\. Pakistan has also allocaced increased resources for educationand devel-opment in its Tribal Areas aod in Baluchrstan. 82. rn sri Lanka. education is f,ree to alr children of arr races in sinhala and inTanil from kindergarten to university degree level. Free textbooks are provlaled at.scboors' most of ehich also provide free midday nears. rn addition, sub;istencegrants are available for students in need. university places are allocated toapplicant.s according to a formuta irhich is based 55 per cent on nerit with thebalance depending on the location of the home of the candidate weighted to rncreaselhe representati.on from disadvantaqed areas. The proportion of Tanils gaj.ninguniversity admission is in excess ot the proportion of rami.ls in the nationalpopulati.on (see the initial report of sri Lanka (cERD/c/I0r/Aalat.6) ) . /... A/40/694/Add.l Eng Ii sh Page 23 83. tatin tunerican countries with indigenous population groups are atternpting to make nore conprehensive provisions lor the children of, these ninorities to be tauqht in their ('$n languaqe. Accordlng to lhe eighth periodic rePort of Ecuador (CERD/c,/fI8/Add.4), the constilution of Ecuador ensures individuals belonging to indigenous groups all the same rights enJoyed by other Ecuadorians. In addition. Article 27 {91 ot the Constitution establishes tha! menbers of the indigenous population have the right to be taught in lheir own language. To inplenent this right the Ministry of Education and Culture has introduced a sysCen of intercultural bilingual education lrbere the objectiee is not acculturation ol the lndigenous population, but endoculCuration for more eftective internat Be 1f-development.
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the efforts of several countries to improve education and provide equal opportunities for marginalized groups, such as tribes and scheduled castes. The focus is on the implementation of policies and programs to increase access to education, including free education, financial assistance, and bilingual education. The text also highlights the importance of preserving the cultural identity of indigenous populations.

**Category**
Education