About Organisation
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are a network of schools in India, established by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, to provide quality education to tribal students in remote areas. These residential schools aim to offer comprehensive education from classes VI to XII, with a focus on academic excellence, holistic development, and preserving local culture and traditions. The scheme is being implemented to enable students to access higher education and employment opportunities.
The most recent (MoU) Signed by the NEST is with Avanti Fellows. This five years agreement ,effective from the academic year 2025-26,aims to provide coaching support for IIT -JEE & NEET exams to EMRS students.
Here's a more detailed look:
Key Features of EMRS:
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Targeted at Tribal Students:EMRS are specifically designed to cater to the educational needs of Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, particularly those residing in remote and tribal-dominated areas.
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Residential Setup:The schools are fully residential, providing accommodation, meals, and other necessary facilities for students and staff.
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Quality Education:EMRS focus on providing quality education with a strong emphasis on academic subjects, as well as sports, art, culture, and vocational training.
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Holistic Development:The schools aim to foster well-rounded development in students, including academic, physical, and cultural aspects.
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Accessibility:EMRS are established at the block level, ensuring that they are accessible to a wider population of tribal communities.
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Infrastructure:EMRS are equipped with facilities similar to Navodaya Vidyalayas, including separate hostels, mess, playgrounds, and other amenities.
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National Integration:A key objective is to promote national integration by bringing students from different parts of the country together in each school.
Implementation and Management:
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal agency for implementing the EMRS scheme.
- National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS): An autonomous organization, NESTS, has been created to manage and implement the EMRS scheme.
- Funding: The scheme is funded through grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.
Expansion and Future Plans:
- The government aims to establish an EMRS in every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal individuals (as per the 2011 census).
- The target is to establish 728 EMRSs across the country by 2026.
- Center of Excellence for Sports (CoE for Sports): 15 CoE for Sports are planned to be established in EMRSs to nurture tribal students' sports talent.
In essence, EMRS represents a significant step towards providing quality education and fostering the holistic development of tribal students in India.