Eklavya Model Residential School(EMRS)

A model residential school program designed for Scheduled Tribes in India is called Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS). It was established in 1997–1998 and is one of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ signature initiatives to guarantee that tribal students have access to high-quality education in the far-flung tribal communities. Under Article 275(1) of the Indian Constitution, grants are used to establish EMRSs in the States and UTs. According to the budget for 2018–19, an Eklavya Model Residential School would be present by the year 2022 in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal members.

The government provides a subsidy of up to 30 lakh per school yearly after the initial award of 30 lakh for founding the school. State governments are responsible for any additional costs. By the end of 2018, 284 EMRSs have been authorized overall, with Madhya Pradesh receiving the most approvals at 32. Around 226 EMRSs are operational throughout the nation, and 68 of them are connected to the CBSE.

National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) as an autonomous organization has been set up under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to establish, endow, maintain, control and manage the schools.

The aims and objectives of NESTS are:

1. To establish, endow, maintain, control and manage schools {Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) and Centre of Excellence for Sports} and to do all acts and things necessary for or conducive to the promotion of schools which will have the following objective:
2. To provide quality modern education – including a strong component of inculcation of values, awareness of the environment, adventure activities and physical education – to the talented tribal children predominantly from the rural areas without regard to their family’s socio-economic condition.
3. To provide facilities, at a suitable stage, for instruction through a common medium all over the country.
4. Offer a common core-curriculum of ensuring comparability in standards and to facilitate and understanding of the common and composite heritage of tribal people.
5. To progressively bring students from one part of the country to another in each school to promote national integration and enrich the social content.
6. To serve as a focal point for improvement in quality of school education through training of teachers in live situations and sharing of experience and facilities.
7. To provide opportunities to students for extra-curricular activities moving towards Centre of Excellence in sports etc.
8. To facilitate students developing pride in national culture, preserving and cherishing tribal heritage, tribal culture, music, dance and other arts.
9. To help students acquire skills particularly those oriented to employment including self-employment.
10. To strive to achieve best academic standards, excellence in sports and extra-curricular activities.