Issues with changes in recruitment rules in Eklavya Model Residential Schools

Context: Recent centralisation in the recruitment structure of Eklavya Model Residential Schools and mandatory Hindi competency requirement has created an issue.

Recruitment structure of Eklavya Model Residential Scheme

Recruitment structure of Eklavya Model Residential Scheme

  • Earlier the recruitment of teachers for the Eklavya Model Residential Schools was done by state authorities responsible for executing the scheme in the state.
  • However, in 2023, the responsibility was being shifted to National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) (agency under Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs executing the EMRS Scheme). The EMRS aims to recruit 38,000 positions in over 400 EMRS schools across the country. Rationale for centralisation of recruitment for EMRS schools:
    • There was severe shortage of teachers in EMRS schools which state authorities were not able to recruit for.
    • Standardization of recruitment rules across states. Earlier states used varying criteria for these recruitments and applied state level reservation quotas as per State legislation.
  • National Testing Authority was authorised to conduct the EMRS Staff Selection Examination 2023 for both teaching and non-teaching positions across Eklavya schools.
  • However, the mandatory Hindi competency requirements in the EMRS recruitment has meant that the vast majority of selected candidates hail from north-Indian Hindi speaking states. 
  • Challenges with this:
    • Candidates selected by this have been demanding transfers to places closer home in northern states.
    • Staff now recruited for EMRS schools are not in touch with the local cultural contexts.
  • Ideally, the EMRS schools focus on the education and empowerment of tribal students. They are often located in remote locations. For the teachers to have maximum impact, they should understand the local cultural context.

About Eklavya Model Residential Scheme (EMRS)

  • Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is a central sector scheme which aims to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribes students from Class 6 to Class 12 in remote areas to enable them to access the best opportunities in education and bring them at par with the general population.
  • Government plans to establish one EMRS in every block with more than 50% Scheduled Tribe population and at least 20,000 tribal population as per 2011 census, subject to availability of suitable land to be provided by State Government
  • In blocks, where density of ST population is higher than 90%, Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) can be set up on an experimental basis for providing additional scope for ST students seeking to avail school education without residential facility.
  • These schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of students. These schools have special facilities for preserving local art & culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.
  • Each school has a capacity of 480 students and is on par with Navodaya Schools.
  • This scheme is administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • States can also run EMRS in alternative buildings preferably in Government buildings till the construction of schools is completed.
  • Education is provided free of cost to tribal students in EMRS.
  • Funding of schools:
    • Centre provides capital cost for setting up of school complex, including hostels and staff quarters. The cost has been revised upward to Rs. 37.80 crores in plain areas and Rs. 48 crores in Northeast, Hilly areas and LWE affected areas.
    • Recurring cost up to Rs 1.09 lakh per year student is paid for running of schools and towards expenses of students (uniform, books & stationery, food etc.)
    • Funds are released by Ministry of Tribal Affairs to National Educational Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) for implementation of this scheme. NESTS further releases funds to State Societies and Construction Agencies etc. as per their requirements.

Practice MCQ

Q. Consider the following statements given above is/are correct Eklavya Model Residential Scheme (EMRS)

    1. Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal ministry for this scheme.
    2. The recruitment for teachers for EMRS schools is done by States.
    3. All districts of India will have Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
    4. No fees is charged by these schools.

How many statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: (b)


PYQ

Q. With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri ‘Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:

  1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility
  2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)   1 only

(b)  2 only

(c)   Both 1 and 2

(d)  Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b)

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