Centre to Recruit Over 38,000 Teachers and Support Staff for Eklavya Model Schools within 3 Years in India

The Indian government plans to hire over 38,800 teachers and support staff to work in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) over the next three years, according to Arjun Munda, Union Tribal Affairs Minister. This initiative is part of the EMRS scheme that started in 1997-98, which aims to create model residential schools across the country for tribal students. The current administration has increased the number of such schools from 119 in 2013-14 to 401 in 2023-24. The number of enrolled students has also grown significantly from 34,365 in 2023-14 to 113,275 in 2023-24. The government aims to establish EMRS schools in every block that has 50% or more ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons as per the 2011 census. The ministry plans to set up 740 identified blocks across the country by 2025-26, and the 38,800 teachers and support staff will be recruited to provide quality education to almost 350,000 tribal students. To date, 693 schools have been sanctioned, and the Ministry of Electronics and IT is setting up smart classes in 175 of these schools.