ALASH Initiative Set to Foster Holistic Excellence Among Eklavya Model Residential Schools Students

UNICEF India has its first intensive intervention in collaboration with the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS). The TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub) was launched to support the overall development of students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). The program will focus on the scholastic and behavioral development of the tribal learners in India promoting self-development, life skills and clarity of career.

Context

• TALASH, which is a digital platform, is meant to assist more than 1,38,336 tribal students enrolled in EMRSs in India in revealing their strength, life skills, and career-based decision-making. 

• The project involves psychometric testing, career guidance, life skills and e- learning materials on educationists, making it comprehensive in the development of students.

Key Points

Target Beneficiaries:

• TALASH will empower more than 1, 38, 336 students belonging to 28 States and 8 Union Territories that are located in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

• This program should have effects on the students in the tribal regions, where the main emphasis is made on their academic and personal progress.

Important characteristics of TALASH:

• Psychometric Assessments: They are assessments that allow the student[s] to determine their strength and career interests, as done in the case of Tamanna by NCERT. Students are provided with Career Cards, with the best career options proposed to them, according to abilities.

• Career Counselling: The site assists students to integrate their career ambitions to match with their talents, and it equips them of how to make an informed decision.

• Life Skills and Self-Esteem Modules: TALASH will provide the students with training in life skills such as problem-solving, communication, and emotional aid, to uplift the self-esteem and self-worth of the students.

• E-Learning for Teachers: A dedicated portal training the teachers with materials to be able to help the students grow in their academic and personal life process.

Phased Rollout:

• Smooth implementation will be done through the introduction of TALASH initiative in selected cities. It will be deployed in every EMRS by the end of 2025 with care to tribal students across the country.

• To date 189 out of 75 EMRSs trainers have been trained and are conducting training in their respective schools.

Ongoing Improvements:

• A constructive feedback and reviews done regularly will help TALASH to develop continuously in the future as well, satisfying the individual requirements of the EMRS students as well as having sustainable success.

About Eklaviya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

Overview

• Purpose: To work towards the attainment of a goal to provide quality residential education to the students belonging to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and classes VI-XII in remote areas to fill the educational gap existing between the general population and tribal population.

• Launched: 1998, redone in 2018-19 with an eye to outreach and facilities.

• Target: The aim of EMRS to set up 728 EMRSs within India through 2026.

Key Features:

• Co-educational : free education up to XII.

• Curriculum: CBSE-based and oriented to the local culture, sports and skill advancement.

• Infrastructure: Comprises classrooms, hostels, playgrounds, labs and accommodation of the staff.

• Capacity: 480 students in a school, 50 per cent seats to boys and 50 per cent seats to girls.

• Reservations: 10 percent of seats to non ST students, 20 percent sports quota to deserving ST students.

Conclusion

The TALASH program is a great stride in the direction of overall growth of the students of India who belong to the tribal community. Their initiative to empower young tribal people through career readiness, life skills, and self-esteem is meant to bridge the gap that has existed in the tribal communities and lead the next generation of the tribal leaders. TALASH will complement the learning process of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) students and help to exponentially improve the Indian education system to be more inclusive and equitable because of its phased implementation.