Udaipur— The Central Government is poised to establish 540 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country, a pioneering initiative to uplift tribal communities. These institutions, aiming to bolster educational prospects, are gradually taking shape. While some await constructed facilities, temporary rented spaces accommodate students. Among the 11 schools planned in the state, a majority of 6 is in Southern Rajasthan divisional headquarters of Udaipur and Banswara. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 6 EMRSs i.e. in Banswara (02), Udaipur (02), Dungarpur (01) and Pratapgarh (01) districts on 27th July 2023 from Sikar.
An innovative transformation awaits these schools, transitioning to the Navodaya pattern starting next year. Unlike Navodaya, the distinctive trait of these Eklavya Residential Schools lies in exclusively enrolling children from tribal backgrounds. Admission specifics are yet to surface. To fulfil this educational endeavour, the central government is set to onboard 10,000 educators across the nation.
Each school, designed for comprehensive growth, envisions admitting 240 boys and 240 girls. Facilities include separate hostels and grounds for each gender, while the school itself remains common. Central government funding will fully support hostel expenses, with careful consideration for local costs. The infrastructure investment for schools in Chuwdi and Lasadia is approximately Rs 25.49 crore and Rs 25 crore, respectively.
Teacher recruitment will follow a rigorous examination-based process, mirroring the established norms in Navodaya and Kendriya Vidyalayas. Merit-based selections will facilitate nationwide allocation, offering the prospect of cross-state postings.
The first phase targets 10,000 teachers, with subsequent phases envisioned for further recruitment.
In tribal dominant South Rajasthan region, Udaipur progress resonates in Jhadol, Kherwara, Dhariawad, and Salumber with a budget of 42 crores. Additionally, Pratapgarh and Dungarpur would have one schools each, and Banswara would witness the construction of 2 schools.
Expressing joy, Udaipur parliamentarian Arjun Lal Meena told the media that all the proposals sent for the Udaipur parliamentary constituency gained approval. Resonating with the Navodaya model, two schools have commenced sessions, while others under construction will commence temporarily from rented spaces, he added.
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) as an autonomous organization was set up under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to establish, endow, maintain, control and manage the schools- Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) and Centre of Excellence for Sports, all dedicated to the children from ST communities across India.
EMRS started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to ST children in remote areas in order to enable them to avail of opportunities in high and professional educational courses and get employment in various sectors. The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students. Each school has a capacity of 480 students, catering to students from Class VI to XII. Hitherto, grants were given for construction of schools and recurring expenses to the State Governments under Grants under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution.
In order to give further impetus to EMRS, it was decided that by the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an EMRS. Eklavya schools will be on par with Navodaya Vidyalaya and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development. Across the country, as per census 2011 figures, there are 564 such sub-districts out of which there is an EMRS in 102 sub-districts.
Wherever density of ST population is higher in identified Sub-Districts (90% or more), it is proposed to set up Eklavya Model Day Boarding School (EMDBS) on an experimental basis for providing additional scope for ST Students seeking to avail school education without residential facility.
No of Sanctioned Schools- 690
No of Operational Schools- 401
No of Students- 113275
Male Students- 56107
Female Students-57168
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