Eklavya Model Residential School(EMRS)

22.11.2023

 Eklavya Model Residential School(EMRS) , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow              

Why in the news?

On November 20, 2023, President of India Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the Eklavya Model Residential School at Kuliyana in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.             

Important points

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has set a new target of establishing 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country for the education of tribal children by 2024.
• Of the 87 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools sanctioned in Odisha, there are 19 schools in Mayurbhanj district alone.
• There is one school in each block of this district, the largest for any district in India.

About Eklavya Model Residential School:

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools is a scheme of the Government of India for model residential schools for Indian tribals (Scheduled Tribes) across India.
• Eklavya Model Residential School was started in the year 1997-98.
• EMRS is a chain of free residential schools in India managed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• These schools focus not only on academic education but also on the all-round development of the students.
• Each school has a capacity of 480 students, providing education to students from classes VI to XII.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for ST students have been established in the States/UTs with provision of funds through "grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution".
• Establishment of EMRS is based on the demand of the respective States/UTs with availability of land as an essential feature.
• There will be an autonomous society under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs similar to Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti to run the EMRS.
• Apart from the school building, the plan also includes hostels and staff quarters, play grounds, computer lab and teacher resource room.

Objectives of EMRS:

It was established with the aim of bridging the gap in educational standards between tribal and non-tribal students, providing opportunity for quality education. Other objectives are as follows..

• Comprehensive physical, mental and socially relevant development of all students enrolled in each EMRS.
• Students will be empowered to become change agents from their school, from their homes, from their village and ultimately in the larger context.
• Focus the educational support provided to students of Classes XI and XII and Classes VI to X separately, so that their specific needs are met.
• Support the creation of infrastructure that provides the educational, physical, environmental and cultural needs of student life.

Structure of EMRS:

• Admission to these schools will be through selection/competition with appropriate provision to give preference to children from primitive tribal groups, first generation students etc.
• Adequate land will be provided free of cost by the state government for schools, playgrounds, hostels, residential quarters etc.
• The number of seats will be equal for boys and girls.
• Education in these schools will be completely free.
• Each class can have a maximum of 60 students, preferably in 2 sections of 30 students each and the total sanctioned strength of the school will be 480 students.
• At the higher secondary level (Class XI and XII), there will be three sections per class for three streams in Science, Commerce and Humanities. The maximum allowed strength of each section can be 30 students.
• In case of shortfall in any section, ST students from other schools may be admitted as per the procedure mentioned in para (a) above.
  • The minimum required land size for setting up an EMRS school has been reduced from 20 acres to 15 acres.

Current major challenges in setting up EMRS:

• Shortage of teachers.
• 15 acres of land required.

Population Criteria.