Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

Table of Contents

About Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

EMRS is a Central Sector Scheme started in 1997-98 to impart quality education to ST children in remote areas.
EMRS are established in the States/UTs from the grants received under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.
Features:
- The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students.
- Each school has a capacity of 480 students, catering to students from Class VI to XII.
- Non-ST students can be admitted in these schools on seats up to 10% of the total seats.
Implementing Agency: National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) , an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs manages EMRS across India.
Criteria for establishment: Every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an EMRS.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

The Dhebar Commission (1960-61): It identified disparities among Scheduled Tribes, leading to the creation of the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) category.
In 2006, the PTG category was renamed to PVTGs, (Criteria for PVTG)
- Pre-agricultural lifestyles
- Low literacy rates
- Small or stagnant populations
- Subsistence economies.
75 communities in 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are categorized as PVTGs.
Odisha has the highest number of PVTGs (15).

In 2020, a 5% sub-quota was introduced for PVTGs to enhance their access to education.
Current Enrollment Data:
- Total EMRS Students: 1,30,101 (across 407 functional schools as of October 2024).
- PVTG Students: 4,480 students, comprising only 4% of the total population, falling short of the 5% target.
- Dropouts among PVTG students have increased consecutively over 3 years.

Infrastructure Gaps: Poor facilities in many schools.
Teacher Shortage: Lack of sufficient and qualified teaching staff.
Economic Pressure: Many PVTG students are compelled to work to support their families.
Quality of Education: Perception of subpar education and inadequate resources.

UPSC PYQ

Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019)

PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 3 and 4

Answer: C