Lok Sabha Question No. 1219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-06
Subject: Train Teachers in EMRS
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1219

ANSWERED ON 06/12/2021

## TRAIN TEACHERS IN EMRS

## 1219. SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures being taken by the Government to help Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Scheme adapt to education in the post-COVID context;
- (b) whether the Government has implemented programmes to train EMRS teachers to use technology-based tools for teaching;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the criteria to be used for identifying the tribal-dominated areas in which to establish 740 EMRS over the next three years under the recently launched 'School Innovation Ambassador Training Program'(SIATP)?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):   During the COVID-19 pandemic EMRSs adopted  Blended Teaching-Learning model during lockdown, making use of technological platforms as Youtube, DIKSHA, Whatsapp, Google Classroom, Mobile Apps etc. Education and Research  Network .  (ERNET)  autonomous  scientific  society  under  the  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information Technology, Government of India would be setting up digital classes in 175 EMRS schools which have their own building.
- (b) and (c):   Yes Sir. Government has taken various initiatives to upgrade the skills of EMRS teachers to use technologybased tools for teaching.
- (i).  Collaboration has been made with national apex bodies such as National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), NITI Aayog (Atal Innovation Mission), IIT Bombay, Ministry of Education's Innovation Council to train EMRS teachers to use technology-based tools for teaching. The topics include- workshop on Chem Collective Virtual Lab to enhance the knowledge on the usage of ICT tools for PGT- Chemistry teachers; orientation on latest technologies of 3D printing, IoT, microelectronics, robotics, drones and 21st century skills of collaboration, critical thinking, design thinking, etc.
- ii.   NESTS  has  collaborated  with  National  Institute  of  Educational  Planning  and  Administration  (NIEPA),  Spoken Tutorial, IIT - Bombay, Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT), All India Council of Technical Education and CBSE  for  Innovation  Ambassador  Programs  and   National  Initiative  for  School  Heads'   and  Teachers'  Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA ) to  build  capacities  of  teachers  and  school  principals   jointly  with  National  Council  of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
- (iii).   Ministry with CBSE has also started course " Experiential Learning for the 21st Century" for teachers and principals, which would be 6-weeks long course hosted on TISSx Platform leading to an academic certificate from TISS, Mumbai.
- (iv).  Ministry of Tribal Affairs has collaborated with Microsoft for Education Transformation Framework (ETF) which is a program for teachers for building capacity, guiding transformation, and providing early access to new research and solution
- (d):  The criteria for selection of teachers for Innovation Ambassador Training Program was adopted by collaborated organizations. Selection of teachers was based on the following criteria:
- Involvement in developing innovative student projects
- Passion for working with students on developing new ideas
- Demonstrates Problem-solving skills
- Possesses good communication and analytical skills
- Participated in any science/innovation exhibition, hackathons and idea competitions etc.