Sundargarh: The name of legendary tribal archer Ekalavya will soon become synonymous with residential schools in each block of the state where tribal people constitute a majority of the population.
Union minister Jual Oram Wednesday said the government is planning to start 92 more Ekalavya Model Residential school (EMRS) across the state.
The Ekalavya Residential School Scheme isn’t new. It has been around for many years now. However, the government has signalled that it wants to expand the scope. EMRS is a central scheme of model residential schools for tribals (Scheduled Tribes) across the country which was launched in 2000.
Tribal Affairs Minister Oram, who was in Sundargarh to participate in a programme, said the purpose was to bridge the competence gap between the tribal youths and others in all fields including higher studies and competitive examinations.
Addressing a press meet, Oram said the government is committed to providing the best quality education to the tribal children in their own environment. To realise this mission, it has been decided that by the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Ekalavya Model Residential School.
Oram said. “Ekalavya schools will be on a par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture, besides providing training in sports and skill development.”
The schools would be opened in blocks where tribal population was over 20,000, he said. Lauding the performance of EMRS, the minister said the students were doing well.
The students are, however, lagging behind in confidence in the competitive exams, he said.
“We have to inculcate confidence among them that they are the national achievers in any field whether it was sports or education and can improve their performances,” he said.
Oram said the government has provided pilot training to tribal youths under the scheme and have been coaching them for professional competitions.
PNN