Ekalavya Model Residential School for Tribal Students in Wayanad

Dr.Baiju K.Nath,

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Education, University of Calicut

and

Ragi.M.,

M.Ed. Student (2013 - 14), Dept. of Education, University of Calicut

 Abstract

Backwardness in education is an important cause for economic backwardness. It is in

the light of this fact, the central and state governments attach greater importance to

economic progress of Scheduled Tribes. While formulating the 9th five year plan,

Government of India realised that, unless the quality of education is substantially improved

in the tribal areas, some of the serious issues involved with employability and subsequent

performance of tribal youths cannot be addressed. It was felt that as the tribal children suffer

from various locational and social disadvantages. They lack self confidence and exposure

and this can only be resolved by providing the best possible quality education. Keeping in

view of these objectives since 1997-98, the ministry of tribal affairs has implemented the

scheme of establishing Ekalavya model residential school in the country. Kerala state have

two Ekalavya Model Residential School, they are at Wayanad and at Idukki. These schools

are to be operated in each state under Tribal Department, Government of Kerala.

The aim of the study was to understand the infrastructural facilities and various

instructional strategies adopted, cultural and empowerment programmers, scholarships for

students, etc. under Ekalavya Model Residential School. Data was collected through

Interview and observation. Lack of proper infrastructure is the main drawback and

weakness of this school. School have not adequate sized class rooms, and other facilities.
Introduction

Backwardness in education is an important cause for economic backwardness. It is in

the light of this fact, the central and state governments attach greater importance to

Scheduled tribes economic progress. From infancy onwards greater emphasis is being paid

to education programmes. Major part of the money set up apart for economic development

is being spent on education.

Education is an inevitable tool for the improvement of socio-economic

conditions of people. Education helps to bridge wide disparity in school status,

political assertion and income distribution. Education is the soul of human civilization

and development which is lacking among Scheduled tribes. To compete with general

communities, it is necessary to equip them educationally.

While formulating the 9th five year plan, Government of India realised that unless the

quality of education is substantially improved in the tribal areas. Some of the serious issues

involved with employability and subsequent performance of tribal youths cannot be

addressed. It was felt that as the tribal children suffer from various locational and social

disadvantages, they lack self confidence and exposure and this can only be resolved by

providing the best possible quality education. Keeping in view these objectives since 1997-

98, the ministry of tribal affairs has implemented the scheme of establishing Ekalavya

model residential school in the country. Main aim is providing quality education to

scheduled tribal areas; funds were used under Article 275(1) of the constitution of India. To

improve the education infrastructure and standard of education in tribal areas, these schools

were modelled on the line of Navodaya Vidyalaya. So far ministry of tribal affairs

government of India has sanctioned 100 Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS)

spread over 22 status namely Andra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh , Chhattisgarh, Gujarat ,
Himachal Pradesh , Jammu & Kashmir , Jharkhand , Karnataka , status namely Andra

Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh , Chhattisgarh, Gujarat , Himachal Pradesh , Jammu & Kashmir

, Jharkhand , Karnataka , Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur , Mizoram ,

Nagaland , Orissa , Rajastan , Sikkim , Tamil Nadu , Tripura , Uttar Pradesh , Uttarakhand

and West Bengal in the country.

Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP)

Accordingly, considering the peculiar nature of the Scheduled Tribes concentration and to

ensure effective co ordination of development programme, Integrated Tribal Development

Project (ITDP) was started during the fifth year plan. The first ITDP in the state was

started in Attappady. Subsequently, four more ITDPs were formed on the basis of the

proportion of ST population. Out of the total population 40.47% was covered by these

projects. These projects areas were coterminous with forest regions east west. Majority of

the scheduled Tribes could not enjoy the benefits under ITDP as they were outside the

project and were treated as dispersed Tribes. During 1990-91, through the Tribal sub plan

(TSP) strategy, the government decided to start residential school for providing quality

education to scheduled tribe students .

In the state of Kerala, there are two Ekalavya Model Residential School, they are

EMRS Lakkidi, Pookkod and EMRS Idukki. These schools are operated under Tribal

Department, Government of Kerala. In order to provide high quality education to students

belonging to Scheduled Tribes, Ekalavya Model Residential School have been opened. A

maximum 30 students in each class are benefited by this provision by which 27 students

from among Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste candidates and three from other

communities are selected on the basis of a state level admission test.

Design of the study

The aim of the study was to analyze the infrastructural facilities, various

instructional strategies adopted, cultural and empowerment programmers,

scholarships for students, etc. under Ekalavya Model Residential School. This would

help us to find out the way of running of this school and recommendation to improve

the standard of education and school

Information was collected through Document analysis, Observation and Interview

with Head of the Institution and teachers in the school.

The detailed information was obtained from teachers and head of the School ,

information on ways to improve the current performance of the school , opinion

about the school , recommendation on way to improve the current performance of the

school and ways to resolve problems were obtained from official records and

information from teachers. Information was also collected about the level of

participation of students in sports, arts, tribal festivals and other co curricular

activities.

Objectives

The investigation mainly focussed on the following objectives.

1 To study the aims and objectives of EMRS

2 To study the infrastructural facilities of the school

3 To study the achievement and shortcomings of the school.

Major Findings of the Investigation

The major findings of the investigation are as follows.

Aim of EMRS - To impart better quality education to poor Scheduled Tribe students
is the aim of EMRS.

Objectives of EMRS -

The main objective of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high school level

education to ST students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in

higher and professional educational courses to acquire jobs in government and public sector

but also to have access to the best opportunity in education at par with non Scheduled Tribe

population. This would be attained by

- Comprehensive physical, mental and socially relevant development of all students

in each and every Ekalavya Model Residential School. Students will be

empowered as change agent, beginning in their school, in their home, and in their

village.

- Focus differently on educational support to be made available to those in

standards 6th to 10th, so that their distinctive needs can be met.

- Support the annual running expenses of the institution in a manner that offers

reasonable remuneration to the staff and to upkeep the facilities.

- Support the provision of infrastructure that required for education, physical,

environmental and cultural needs of the students life.

EMRS Pookkod, Wyanad, Kerala

Ekalavya Model Residential School pookkod was started in 2000, is situated in kunnath

Edavaka Village in Vythiri grama panchayath of wayanad district. It is about 60 km from

Calicut and 3 km from Lakkidi. EMRS is situated near Kerala Veterinary University and

Navodhaya Vidhyalaya. Number of students limited to 30 in each class.

The first SSLC batch come out in 2005 with 98% result. All curricular and co

curricular activities come under District collector and executive committee. Committee
conduct meetings in every six months and take essential required decisions. Teachers are

appointed by Public Service Commission, Government of Kerala. All other expenses for the

school incurred by Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) Kerala. Head of the

Institution produce bills and necessary funds are sanctioned by senior superintendent of

ITDP.

School Building

This EMRS has lack of adequate building facility. Building roof is with Asbestos sheet

including roof of bathroom. This is the main problem faced by students. Article 275(1) of

the Indian constitution aimed to improve the educational Infrastructure modelled in the line

of Navodaya Vidhyalaya. But this school have poor building facility

Class Room

Class rooms are of inadequate size. Rooms are congested and not proper air circulation.

Main limitation in class room was lack of proper windows

Number of students

Ekalavya Model Residential School, pookkod have 292 Scheduled Tribal boys and girls.

School have a provision to admit 300 students. There are two divisions for each class and in

each division with strength of 30 students, 50% each for boys and girls.

Selection system of students

EMRS conducts the state wide entrance test to for admission. Pattern of the test used to be

objective type test administrated by ITDP ( Integrated Tribal Development Project ). They

prepare rank list and send it to respective schools. Head of the Institution admit students on

the basis of the rank list

Assessment of students performance

The school engage in formative and summative assessment procedures which are used to

examine the performance of students in each class. Weak students got supervision of

teachers. Class based assessment was evaluated for assessing students achievement.

Homework and oral feedback is also a part of assessment procedure. Teachers observe and

evaluate the performance of the students.

Strength and weakness of the school

Ekalavya Model Residential School have standard from 6th to 10th standard.

Government of Kerala take initiative to start Ekalavya Model Residential School in

pookkod , wayanad. Funds are sanctioned for the functioning and development on school by

ITDP (Integrated Tribal Development Project).

Teachers with sincerity and hard working for the all round development of pupils is one of

the strength of this school. It help students to achieve 100% results in every year, participate

and acquiring prizes on competitions in every years.

Lack of proper infrastructure is the main drawback or weakness of this school. School have

not proper sized class room, air circulation, window, lighting, fan etc. This will adversely

affect the teaching learning process. Lack of well furnished science laboratory, computer

labs, toilets for students etc are main drawbacks of Ekalavya Model Residential School

pookkod. Head of the school gave lot of complaints through letters and Media. After taking

much effort they approach our Chief Minister through Sutharya Keralm Television

programme. He understands the problems and weakness of this school and sanctioned funds

for construction of School building and hostel. So construction of school and hostel building

is under way.
Achievements of the school

- Achieving 100% results in SSLC examination for the last 5 years

- School got first prize on Sub district sports competition

- School got fourth prize on district sports and games competition on 2010-11

- Active participation on Science Exhibition

- Got first prize on Sastrabhodhini project conducted in Trivandrum

- Rethu Krishna is the one of the student in School, she achieve best Participation

Award.

- School got many prizes on Sargothsavam conducted by ITDP for tribal students

only

- Six students in this school got National Merit cum Means Scholarship (NMMS)

in 2012-13

- Some students in this school attended NTS (National Talent Search) Scholarship

at State level.

Recent developments in the school.

1. Dormitory for Boys and New school building foundation stone was laid by Hon.

Chief Minister and Tribal Minister in last week

2. Rupees 13 Crore was sanctioned for the development of the school. Tender obtained

for KITCO

3. District collector give assurance for sanctioning higher secondary on next year.

Basic requirements of the school

1. Science Laboratories-

School have no proper science laboratory. Necessary equipments are not

 available in laboratory like beaker, funnel, burners, barometers, lights, tables,

etc.

2. Library-

School have very congested library. Necessary books are not available in

library. Library contains only study books , reference books , stories , poems

etc. But basic necessities like news papers , magazines and literature etc are

not available on library. Library has not enough space and reading room

facility.

3. ICT labs / Smart Class room

School have not a proper smart class room. It contains less than 20 computers.

Two students have to use one computer at a time

4. First aid facility-

School have proper first aid facility . thermometer , cotton , dettol , ointments

and tablets are includes in first aid box. Doctors in Public health Care conduct

visits in this school on every month.

5. Infrastructural facilities-

Main drawback of this school is lack of infrastructural facility. This would

affect the quality of education and comfort level of students.

School building with Asbestos sheet and floor with rough cement. Each class

room have only one black board , there is no white board and smart board. Fan

and lights are not properly working in some classes. Only six sets of toilets for

girls and six sets of toilets for boys. Neatness of bathroom was poor and

buckets and cups are not available for all.

School have no proper reading and resting rooms for students

Methods of Teaching

Teachers with sincerity and hard working are the strength of this school. Teachers take

classes with the help of using ICT , learning aids like charts , models , through group

discussion and seminars , projects.

Teachers and students

School have at present 17 teachers. HSA appointed by Education Department, Government

of Kerala. List of teaching post is the following

Name of subject Number of post

Malayalam 3
English 2
Hindi 2
Science 3
Social Science 2
Mathematics 2
Physical education 1
Drawing 1
Head Master 1

Recommendation for ensuring the quality of EMRS pookkod

1. Provide proper infrastructure

2. ICT enabled teaching and learning be made integral part of the curriculum

3. Develop communication skill in students

4. Impart vocational training through vocational courses

5. Guidelines on size of hostel rooms , class room , sanitation facilities, etc. shiuld be

strictly followed.