Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)
- Recently the Central Government is going to set up 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for tribal students.
- Establishment of ‘Eklavya Model Residential School’ will be done in every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal population.
- However, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has objected to the population criteria, terming the approach as “impractical” and in need of an “urgent review”.
- The committee highlighted in its report that the construction of a large number of schools has been delayed due to the area requirement (15 acres) and population criteria, making the identification and acquisition of land “more cumbersome” , especially in hilly areas, Left Wing Extremism affected areas and North East India.
Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)
- Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was started in the year 1997-98 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are established in the States/UTs from the grants received under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.
- As per the Budget 2018-19, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal population will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by the year 2022.
- Apart from imparting education, Eklavya Vidyalaya has special facilities for preservation of local art and culture, training in sports and skill development is also provided in these schools.
- CBSE curriculum is followed in these schools, and education is completely free.
- The schools have been set up with a capacity of 480 students for classes VI to XII, with equal number of seats for boys and girls.
- Non-ST students can be admitted in these schools on seats up to 10% of the total seats.
- States can also operate EMRS in addition to the sanctioned number, if all the schools in the state are functioning smoothly, the state can ask the central government to set up more such schools.
- A State Education Society for Tribal Students (SESTS) has been set up to look after the management of EMRS on the ground.
- Under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NEST) as an autonomous body has been set up to provide overall support and policy direction to the schools to bring uniformity in the administration of the schools.
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft in May, 2021 to help in digital transformation of tribal schools like Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Ashram Schools.
Objective-
- The objective of EMRS is to provide quality, medium and high level education to the SC students.
- Through these schools, ST students in remote areas will not only be able to take advantage of reservation for higher and professional educational courses and government and public jobs, but also have access to the best opportunities at par with non-ST populations in the field of education will be able to access.
- Comprehensive physical, mental and social development of all the students enrolled in EMRS is its ultimate goal.
Importance –
- Eklavya Model Residential School will improve literacy among tribal groups.
- This will ensure inclusive development of tribal students in all fields.
- It will also provide basic infrastructure facilities along with guiding the students at each educational stage.
- This will increase employment opportunities for tribals.
Source – The Hindu
