Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) with the capacity of 480 students in each school are set up in the States/ UTs under the programme under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India on the pattern of Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalayas (RPVVs) of Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and the Kendriya Vidyalayas. Ministry of Tribal Affairs grants approval for these schools. The setup of EMRS requires a minimum of 15 acres of land and it is mandated to have better infrastructure facilities catering to the need of academic education as well as extracurricular activities, which includes, apart from school buildings and hostels, a playground, students computer lab, teacher resource room etc.  Besides, residential Ashram schools are also set up under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Establishment of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub Plan Areas’. The objective of these interventions is to provide quality middle and high level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and get jobs in government and public and private sectors, but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population.  A total of 197 EMRSs and 892 Ashram Schools have been sanctioned by the Ministry across the country so far. 

            During the current year 2014-15, a total of 44 residential schools have been sanctioned so far as per detail given below:

           Overall management and monitoring of these schools are under the purview of State Government. However, these schools are visited by the Officers of Ministry of Tribal Affairs on regular basis and instructions/ suggestions are issued from time to time for maintaining quality services and facilities.  

            This information was given by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Samir/jk