Lok Sabha Question No. 97 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Capacity Building Programme of EMRS
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †97

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021

## CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME OF EMRS

## †97.    SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- a. the objective behind joint mission of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and NCERT for dedicated capacity building programme for the teachers and principals of Eklavya Model Residential Schools; and
- b. the efforts, being made by the Government for opening maximum number of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in tribal areas of Gujarat?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA):

- a. National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) (an autonomous body under this Ministry) has taken several steps to foster quality education in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) and facilitate students to excel in academics,  sports,  and  extra-curricular  activities.  With  an  objective  of  enhancing  the  professional  skills  and competencies of EMRS Principals and teachers  in different fields like assessments, learning outcomes, pedagogy of Teaching-Learning  etc,   ministry  has   collaborated  with  NCERT  for  conduct  of  NISHTHA  (National  Initiative  of School  Heads'  and  Teachers'  Holistic  Advancement),  training  program.  The  main  objectives  of  the  programme include the following:
2.  To  build  the  capacity  of  Principals  and  teachers  in  EMRS  on  emerging  and  contextual  issues  concerning  quality education.
3.  To  equip  all  elementary  stage  teachers  and  Principals  from  EMRS  with  skills  to  transact  their  subject  areas  in  a conducive and activity based environment in which children learn doing experiments, discussion, analysis, etc. rather than through rote memorization.
4.  To orient teachers and Principals with pedagogical practices used in elementary classrooms as prescribed by the New Education Policy, 2020 such as experiential learning including toy-based pedagogy, art integrated learning etc.
5.  To  enable  EMRS  to  make  a  pool  of  key  resource  persons  out  of  those  teachers  and  principals  who  shall  receive NISHTHA elementary stage training.

The  first  batch  of  NISHTHA  Capacity  Building  program  for  EMRS Principals and Teachers was  conducted from 10 th May, 2021 to 23 rd June, 2021 (utilizing Summer Vacation). The integrated program has been successfully completed.

- b.     Following dedicated efforts have been taken for opening maximum number of EMRSs in tribal areas of the country including Gujarat:
- i. Establishment of National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) at central and state EMRS Society at State Level for providing all support to EMRSs towards setting up and imparting quality education to the tribal children.
- ii. Regular  follow  up  with  state  for  identification  of  suitable  land  with  support  of  district  level  officials  for construction of EMRS.
- iii. Follow up with state society for functioning of sanctioned EMRSs in temporary building till the construction work is over.
- iv. Construction of EMRSs has been assigned by NESTS to Central/State PSUs to prevent delay in construction works after finalizing of suitable land by State Government.