Context: Little progress in centralizing administration of Eklavya Schools

Source: The Hindu

At several levels of government, plans to start the second phase of centralized hiring for more than 6,000 school employees, establish regional offices to run the schools, and increase the annual recurrent cost per child to bring them up to speed with JNVs have been stalled.

National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) founded up with the objective of centralizing Eklavya schools, has been left to operate without any legislated power over the State societies that handle the day-to-day operations of these schools.

The government has been actively approving new schools ever since it updated the Eklavya Model Residential Schools program in 2020; as of February 28, 728 schools had been approved, 477 of which were operational. NESTS runs these schools with a sanctioned strength of merely 28 permanent and 6 temporary workers, most of them former government servants engaged as consultants.

In comparison there are 661 sanctioned JNVs which are overseen by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti through its headquarters and 8 regional offices, which have a combined sanctioned staff strength of 491.

Additionally, NESTS discovered that schools are moving funds to their parents’ accounts rather than using it to buy everyday necessities for kids, such textbooks and uniforms, as they should.

Model Question:

Discuss the significance of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in promoting tribal education in India. What are the challenges faced by these schools, and suggest measures to improve their effectiveness. (250 words, 15 marks)

Model Answer

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) were launched in 1997-98 to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children in remote areas. The scheme, under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, aims to bridge the educational gap and empower tribal youth through modern education while preserving their cultural heritage.

Significance of EMRS

1. Improved Access to Education – EMRS ensures quality residential education for ST students in remote areas.
2. Holistic Development – Focuses on academics, extracurricular activities, and skill development.
3. Preservation of Tribal Culture – Encourages traditional art, language, and customs in the curriculum.
4. Higher Education and Employment – Increases chances of pursuing higher education and government jobs.
5. Gender Inclusion – Special emphasis on enrolling tribal girls, reducing gender disparity.

Challenges Faced

1. Infrastructure Deficiency – Many EMRS lack proper classrooms, hostels, and libraries.
2. Teacher Shortage – Difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified teachers in remote areas.
3. Cultural Alienation – Standardized education may not align with tribal traditions.
4. Language Barrier – Curriculum often overlooks regional tribal languages.
5. Limited Monitoring – Inadequate governance and accountability mechanisms.

Measures to Improve EMRS Effectiveness

1. Enhancing Infrastructure – Ensuring well-equipped schools with modern facilities.
2. Teacher Training & Recruitment – Incentives for teachers to work in remote tribal regions.
3. Bilingual Education – Incorporate tribal languages along with mainstream subjects.
4. Skill-Based Learning – Vocational training programs relevant to local needs.
5. Community Involvement – Engaging tribal leaders and local organizations in school management.

EMRS plays a crucial role in empowering tribal communities by providing inclusive education. Addressing challenges through better infrastructure, culturally relevant curriculum, and effective governance will help in realizing the vision of educational equity for tribal students.