Why in the News?

Close to 600 tribal students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) have cleared IIT-JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, and NEET.

What are Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)?

Overview: EMRS are a central government initiative launched in 1997–98 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.
Core Objective: To ensure access to free, holistic education for ST children from Class VI to XII, particularly in remote and tribal-dominated areas.
Bridging the Gap: These schools are intended to bring ST students at par with the general population by offering academic, cultural, and skill-based education.
Implementing Agency: The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has been tasked with implementing and managing EMRS across the country.
Expansion Target: EMRS are being established in every block with more than 50 percent ST population and at least 20,000 tribal residents, with a target of setting up 728 schools by 2026.
Staff Recruitment: Recruitment for teaching and non-teaching positions in EMRS is centralized under NESTS, which aims to fill over 38,000 posts to strengthen institutional capacity.

Residential Setup: EMRS schools are fully residential and co-educational, catering to students from Class VI to Class XII with free education, boarding, and lodging.
Student Capacity: Each EMRS school can accommodate 480 students, with equal representation of boys and girls.
CBSE Affiliation: The schools follow the CBSE curriculum to maintain consistency with national education standards and facilitate competitive academic performance.
Infrastructure: Infrastructure includes classrooms, science and computer laboratories, libraries, hostels for boys and girls, staff quarters, and sports facilities.
Cultural Preservation: EMRS institutions are designed not only for academic excellence but also to preserve and promote tribal culture, local art, and languages.
Skill and Sports Focus: Special emphasis is placed on skill development and sports training, with 20% seats reserved under the sports quota for deserving ST students.
Inclusive Policy: Up to 10% of total seats in each school can be allotted to non-ST students, enhancing diversity while maintaining tribal focus.
Free Services: Education, food, accommodation, and all related services are provided free of cost to ensure no economic barrier for tribal children.

NESTS and UNICEF India have launched the TALASH Initiative, focusing on the holistic development of tribal students in EMRSs.
It promotes self-awareness, emotional resilience, life skills, and career clarity, aligning with NEP 2020 goals.
It includes psychometric tests (inspired by NCERT’s Tamanna), career cards, life skills modules, and e-learning for teachers.
Over 1.38 lakh students across 28 States and 8 UTs will benefit, with full EMRS coverage targeted by 2025.

[UPSC 2012] Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education?

1. Directive Principles of State Policy

2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies

3. Fifth Schedule

4. Sixth Schedule

5. Seventh Schedule

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 1, 2 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5*