Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Delay in Reforms Hindering Progress

Why in news?

The proposed reforms to enhance EMRS parity with JNVs remain stalled, impacting tribal students’ education.

Overview of EMRS

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) were established in 1997-98 to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children in remote areas.
• These co-educational residential schools aim to match the standards of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and follow the CBSE curriculum while preserving local art and culture.

Key Features of EMRS

• Education from Class VI to XII in a residential setup.
• Capacity of 480 students per school, ensuring equal seats for boys and girls.
• Up to 10% seats can be allocated to non-ST students.
• Administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Special focus on local culture, traditions, and skill development

Objectives of EMRS

• Provide quality education to ST students in remote areas.
• Enable access to higher education and employment opportunities.
• Promote all-round development through modern learning methods

Government’s Vision & Current Challenges

• The government aims to establish at least one EMRS in every block with 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.
• However, reforms have been delayed, affecting recruitment of 6,000 staff members, funding, and administration.
• The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), set up to centralize EMRS administration, lacks the required authority to function effectively.