Eklavya Model Residential School – The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, and Kendriya Vidyalayas are complemented by the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for ST students in the national trend of building high-quality residential schools to advance education throughout all regions and communities. Article 275(1) of the Indian Constitution provides funding for the establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in States and Union Territories.
Children in ST classes VI through XII receive free education from EMRSs in residential settings. The Indian Government’s Ministry of Tribal Affairs is in charge of carrying out the program.
The Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS’s) Objectives
The schools’ goals are to give ST and PVTG students in tribally dominated areas a top-notch upper primary, secondary, and senior secondary education as well as extracurricular activities so they can access the best educational opportunities and catch up to the general population.
Eklavya Model Residential School’s coverage
There will be an Eklavya Model Residential School in every block with at least 20,000 tribal people and more than 50% ST population. These schools, which will offer instruction in sports and skill development, will be comparable to Navodaya Vidyalayas and have unique facilities for conserving indigenous art and culture. According to data from the 2011 census, there are 564 sub-districts—that is, blocks, talukas, and tehsils—with a population of more than 50% ST across the nation.
Requirement for land for an Eklavya Model Residential School
Setting up EMRSs requires at least 15 acres of land.
Entry into Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRSs) – Admission
Admission to these schools will take place using a suitable procedure in accordance with transparent, objective standards that the NESTS will determine in accordance with the RTE Act of 2009.
- There will be an equal number of seats for boys and girls.
- A school’s total authorized enrollment cannot exceed 480 pupils.
- Every class at the Upper Primary and Secondary level, or classes VI through X, will have a maximum of 60 students divided into two sections of thirty students each.
- For the three streams in Science, Commerce, and Humanities, there will be three sections per class at the Senior Secondary level (class XI and XII).
- Each section should have a maximum sanctioned strength of thirty students. If a section is short-staffed, ST students from other schools may be admitted in accordance with the protocol outlined in the preceding paragraph (1).
- 10% of EMRS/EMDBS seats may be occupied by non-ST candidates; however, this percentage cannot surpass 480 total seats. Children of EMR staff members, children of widows, children of divyang parents, children who have lost parents to left-wing extremism and insurgencies, etc., will be given priority.
- 20% of the available seats are reserved under the sports quota for deserving ST students who have achieved success in sports.
Click here for comprehensive admissions guidelines.
Administration and Operation of EMRS
At the national level, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) was founded with the goal of providing ST children with a high-quality education by building Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
State/UT level: Societies of EMRS. State Societies will oversee, maintain, and run the Schools in accordance with the policies and procedures developed by the Indian government’s Ministry of Tribal Affairs. They will also carry out any additional duties assigned by the MoTA or NESTS.
District level: To oversee the operation of the District’s schools, a District Level Committee is to be established. The District Collector will serve as the chair of the DLC, which will also include representatives from local tribes, educators, and district officers. The DLC’s duties will include monitoring school operations and providing the support required to ensure a successful learning environment.
Expenses and Budget
Capital Cost (non-recurring): Up to Rs. 20.00 crore will be spent on the school complex, which includes staff quarters and hostels. An additional 20% will be set aside for the northeast, difficult terrain, and areas impacted by left-wing extremism.
Continual Expense
Commencing on 1.4.2019, recurrent expenses of Rs. 1,09,000/-per child annually will be approved. For the purchase of necessary, one-time items such as furniture and equipment for the dining area, kitchen, hostel, leisure area, and garden, up to Rs. 20 lakh per school may be permitted once every five years.
Enhancement of Current Schools: Enhancement of EMRSs that have already received approval on a need-based basis, with a maximum unit cost of Rs. 5 crores per school (to be staggered over four years i.e. 2018-19 to 2021-22).