Eklavya Model Residential Schools

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are residential schools set up by the Government of India to provide quality education to tribal children in remote and difficult areas. Named after Eklavya, a symbol of self-learning and determination from Indian mythology, these schools offer free education from Class 6 to Class 12 to students from Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.

What Are EMRS?

EMRS are fully funded by the central government and managed by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. They aim to bring quality education to tribal children who would otherwise have limited access to good schools.

Key Features

– **Residential**: students live and study at the school; accommodation, food, and all facilities are free
– **Standards**: designed to be comparable to Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas
– **Curriculum**: follows the NCERT curriculum and is affiliated to CBSE
– **Infrastructure**: includes classrooms, hostels, laboratories, libraries, sports facilities, and computer labs
– **Special provisions**: career counselling, coaching for competitive exams, and skill development activities

Who Can Enroll?

– Students from Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities
– Must live in the area served by the school (typically a block or district with ST population)
– Admission through a selection process based on a merit test
– Preference to children from remote, forest areas, and those with no other educational options

Government Commitment

The government announced a target of setting up one EMRS in every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal people. This translates to approximately 740 EMRSs across the country. As of 2024, over 400 schools are operational and more are in various stages of construction.

Impact

EMRS has improved educational outcomes for tribal children in areas where access to secondary education was limited. Many EMRS graduates have gone on to higher education, government services, and professional careers.

Practical Example

Ramwati, a 12-year-old tribal girl from a remote village in Jharkhand, qualifies for admission to the local EMRS. Her village has no secondary school and the nearest town is 35 km away. At EMRS, she gets free accommodation, meals, textbooks, and quality teaching. She also receives coaching for competitive exams. She eventually qualifies for a government scholarship and goes to university.

Key Takeaways

– EMRS provides free residential secondary education (Class 6 to 12) to tribal students
– Fully funded by the central government with CBSE affiliation and quality infrastructure
– Target: one school per block with over 50% ST population and 20,000 tribal residents
– Over 400 schools are operational, with more under construction
– EMRS has improved educational access and outcomes for tribal children in remote and forest areas