Eklavya Model Residential Schools
About
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide quality residential education to Scheduled Tribes (ST) students in remote areas.
- Launched in 1997-98, each school has a capacity of 480 students, catering to students from Class VI to XII.
- The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students.
- The government aims to establish EMRS in every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.
- EMRS are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.
- Article 275(1) guarantees grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India each year for promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes. Infrastructure development schemes like protected drinking water, road connectivity, electricity and housing are provided under this scheme.
- The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is mandated to plan, construct, establish, endow and administer these schools.