Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

GS 2-Education 

• The concept of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) was launched in 1997-98 with the objective of providing quality education to tribal students, particularly in remote areas, along with residential facilities.
• These schools are intended to offer an education comparable to the standards of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas.
• The focus of EMRS is not only on academics but also on the holistic development of the students. Each school is designed to accommodate 480 students, covering classes from VI to XII.
• Initially, until 2018-19, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was responsible for the scheme, with the State governments managing the identification of new schools, recruitment, management, and admissions.
• Funding for these schools is provided through grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, which are charged annually on the Consolidated Fund of India.
• The guidelines require each EMRS to have at least a 20-acre plot, with other criteria being left to the discretion of State governments.
• Additionally, in areas where the ST population is 90% or more, the establishment of Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) has been proposed to provide education without residential facilities.

Revamp of EMRS

• In 2018-19, the guidelines for EMRS were revised, granting more authority to the Union government for sanctioning and managing schools.
• A new body, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), was formed to oversee the State Education Societies for Tribal Students (SESTS), which directly manage the schools.
• The updated guidelines set a target for the establishment of EMRS in every block with over 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal people by 2022. Additionally, the minimum land requirement for EMRS was reduced from 20 acres to 15 acres.

Challenges with EMRS

Despite the restructuring, as of July 2022, the existing EMRS were severely understaffed, with fewer than 4,000 teachers compared to the recommended 11,340.

Key issues include:

• Teacher Shortages: The shortage of qualified teachers persists, and there is a lack of consistency in teaching quality.
• Land Acquisition: The criteria for land and population make acquiring land challenging, particularly in areas like hilly regions, left-wing extremism-affected zones, and the Northeast.
• Exclusion: The population-based criteria for establishing EMRS sometimes exclude scattered tribal populations from benefiting from these schools.

Quick Facts on Related Educational Schemes

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs)

• The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti scheme was launched in 1986-87 under the National Policy on Education, 1986. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are fully residential, co-educational schools affiliated with the CBSE and provide classes from 6th to 12th grade.
• The schools emphasize a holistic educational approach, including cultural activities and national integration through student exchanges between Hindi-speaking and non-Hindi-speaking states. JNVs follow a three-language formula with vernacular as the medium of instruction up to Class VIII, and provide 30% reservation for girls.

Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs)

• The Kendriya Vidyalayas scheme was approved in 1962 following the recommendations of the Second Central Pay Commission.
• The scheme aims to provide quality education to children of transferable central government employees. KVs are co-educational, bilingual (English and Hindi) schools, all affiliated to the CBSE, and follow a common curriculum across all schools.
• The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, established in 1965, manages these schools and is fully funded by the Government of India.
• KVs also provide a uniform education system with bilingual instruction and common textbooks across all schools, fostering national integration and offering comprehensive development opportunities for students.