Lok Sabha Question No. 5506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Expansion of EMRS
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar, Shri Bhojraj Nag, Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Shri Khagen Murmu, Smt. Roopkumari Choudhary, Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta, Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel, Smt. Himadri Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- +5506

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 03/04/2025

## EXPANSION OF EMRS

+ 5506. SMT. HIMADRI SINGH:

SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL:

SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:

DR. K SUDHAKAR:

SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

SHRI MADHAVANENI RAGHUNANDAN RAO:

SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:

SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY:

SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner in which Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are being expanded to enroll more tribal students, State-wise particularly in Dakshin Kannada of Karnataka and Mahasamund Parliamentary Constituency of Chhattisgarh;
- (b)  the  efforts  being  made  to  improve  the  quality  of  education  and  teacher  training  in EMRS;
- (c) the manner in which the Government is ensuring that the tribal students receive digital and  skill-based  education  along  with  traditional  curricula,  State-wise  particularly  in Dakshin  Kannada  of  Karnataka  and  Mahasamund  Parliamentary Constituency of Chhattisgarh;
- (d) whether any new scholarships or incentives are being introduced to increase tribal youth enrollment in higher education and if so, the details and the implementation status thereof, State-wise particularly in Dakshin Kannada of Karnataka and Mahasamund Parliamentary Constituency of Chhattisgarh; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  an  EMRS  in  Gariyaband  district  of Chhattisgarh to enhance educational opportunities for tribal students?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI. DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a): The Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was started in the year 2018-19 to provide quality education at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya to the tribal children in their own environment. Under the new scheme, Government decided to establish 440 EMRSs, one EMRS in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011). 288 EMRS schools were initially funded under Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, which are being upgraded as per the new  model.  Accordingly,  Ministry  has  set  the  target  to  set  up  total  of  728  EMRSS benefiting  around  3.5  lakh  ST  students  across  the  country.  There  is  no  such  EMRS approved  in  Dakshin  Kannada  district  of  Karnataka  as  none  of  the  blocks  in  Dakshin Kannada district fulfil the twin criteria for establishment of EMRSs mentioned above. In the  Mahasamund  Parliamentary  Constituency  of  Chhattisgarh,  a  total  of  four  Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) Dhamtari district (1 no.), Gariyaband district (2 nos.) and Mahasamund district (1 no.) have been sanctioned and reported to be functional.

- (b): To ensure quality education and holistic development for tribal students following facilities are being provided in EMRSs: -

## 1. Educational Infrastructure:

- o Well-equipped classrooms with modern teaching aids.
- o Science and computer laboratories.
- o Libraries with diverse learning resources.
2. Accommodation and Amenities:
- o Residential facilities for students and staff.
- o Separate hostels for boys and girls with essential amenities like bedding, furniture, and hygiene facilities.
3. Sports and Extracurricular Facilities:
- o Playgrounds and sports equipment.
- o Facilities for extracurricular activities like music, art, and sports
4. Health and Nutrition:
- o Regular health check-ups and medical facilities.
5. IT and Digital Learning:
- o Smart classrooms for digital education.
- o Computer labs with internet access.
6. Vocational Training:
- o Skill development and vocational training programs to enhance employability.

Further, National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS),an autonomous body  under  this  Ministry  to  manage  and  implement  scheme  of  EMRS  has  organised Principals' Conclave bringing together all Principals of EMRSs from across the country for orientation in the areas of academic management, mental health, safety, HR matters etc and  the  conclave  enriched  their  knowledge  and  professional  skills.  NESTS  has  also empowered State societies to impart induction training to Teacher's towards residential culture and academic transactions.

(c): The Ministry through NESTS is implementing several initiatives in collaboration with other government bodies to provide tribal students with access to digital and skill-based education while maintaining the traditional curriculum. These initiatives include:

i)  Establishment of Smart classrooms equipped with digital boards in partnership with ERNET, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to enhance digital learning in tribal schools.

ii)  Setting-up of 400 Skill Labs in 200 EMRSs in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE) to provide hands-on vocational training and industry-relevant skills to students.

iii) Provision of online coaching sessions for IIT-JEE and NEET, along with recorded lectures tailored for Class 11 and 12 students, in collaboration with PACE- IIT & Medical. Additionally, special classes and focused training modules are provided to support both high-performing and academically weaker students.

iv) Allocation of a dedicated DTH channel by NCERT to enhance both curricular and extracurricular learning, including vocational education, ensuring wider accessibility for students in remote areas.

Additionally, to preserve and promote traditional curricula, regional language teachers for Kannada have been recruited to support language learning and cultural continuity. These measures are being implemented in tribal regions, including Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka and the Mahasamund Parliamentary Constituency, covering Gariaband district in  Chhattisgarh,  to  ensure  holistic  education  and  better  learning  outcomes  for  tribal students.

(d): Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  is  implementing  following  Scholarship  Schemes  to promote and encourage basic and higher education amongst ST population across the country: - i)    Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (For Class IX and X)

ii)   Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (For Class XI and above)

iii) National Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students (earlier known as Top  Class  Scholarship  Scheme):  Scholarship  is  provided  for  pursuing  Graduate/Post Graduate courses in  the 265 top-class Government and Non-Government Institutes in professional fields such as Management, Medicine, Engineering, Information Technology, Law etc.

iv. National Fellowship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students:  Scholarship to meritorious ST students for pursuing M.Phil or Ph.D in India v)  National  Overseas  Scholarship  for  ST  students:  Scholarships  are  given  to  the meritorious Schedule Tribe (ST) students for pursuing higher education abroad.

Pre  and  Post  matric  Scholarships  scheme  are  open  ended  and  every  ST  student  with income upto 2.5 lakh can take benefit of these schemes.

Additionally, to encourage students to pursue higher studies, instructions have been issued  to  state  societies  to  cover  the  application  fees  for  national-level  entrance examinations  such  as  NEET,  JEE,  CLAT,  etc.,  for  students  studying  in  Class  XII  in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). The cost of these application fees is to be borne by the respective State EMRS Societies, thereby reducing the financial burden on students and their families.

(e): As per guidelines, EMRSs are established in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011). In Gariyaband district of Chhatisgarh , one Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Chhura block was sanctioned under Article 275(1) in 2015-16. Additionally, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned 01 EMRS at Maipur block under the new scheme in the financial year 2020-21. Both these schools have been made functional by the State Government.

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