First Eklavya School to start classes from next month in Sonbhadra
VARANASI: Nestled in the lap of lush green surroundings and hills, the first Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Sonbhadra in Eastern UP is set to start classes from October. It will impart education to tribal children from Class 6 to Class 12.
The institution, built in a tribal majority area – Peeparkhad locality – in the Kon area of the district, hopes to impart quality education to both tribal boys and girls.
District social welfare officer, Sonbhadra, Ramashankar Yadav, also the first principal of the school, said that preparation has been completed to start classes from October. “Initially, the classes will start from Class 6 to Class 8. Later, Classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 will begin in the school,” Yadav said.
Yadav, who also holds charge of the tribal department, says, “Eklavya Model Residential School is a residential school as its name suggests. The Eklavya School will impart quality education to tribal children in order to enable them to avail of opportunities in higher and professional educational courses and get employment in various sectors.”
Initially, admission to the school – built on around 15 acres of land – will be done directly (without entrance) this year. If the number of students is more than the number of seats, an entrance test may also be conducted for admission, Yadav said.
The officer said that 70 students will be enrolled in each class. All subjects, mathematics, science, physics, chemistry, arts, languages and humanities will be taught in the school. It will be affiliated to CBSE. The school will focus on the all-round development of students. Among the students, 50% will be boys and 50% will be girls and separate hostels for boys and girls have been built.
The process to recruit teachers and other staff has already begun.
Yadav said that the school will focus on the all round development of the students along with providing quality education. The school has facilities for preserving local art and culture along with providing training in sports. The classrooms will soon be equipped with chairs and benches and other facilities.
Sonbhadra has a large number of tribals. Scheduled Tribes (ST) constitute over 21% of the total population of Sonbhadra district, known for its natural resources, scenic beauty and power production.
According to a senior official, EMRSs are being set up in the developmental block areas with more than 50% Scheduled Tribe population and at least 20,000 tribals. By 2022, the union ministry of tribal affairs has planned to set up an EMRS in every such remote area of the district.