Brinda Karat Urges Overhaul of EMRS Recruitment Policy

Brinda Karat of CPI(M) has called on Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram to address flaws in the recruitment process for Eklavya Model Residential Schools. She argues that the current centralized hiring method undermines the schools’ mission, advocating for local recruitment sensitive to Adivasi cultures and languages.

In a letter to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat urged an immediate overhaul of the recruitment process for Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). Karat argued that the existing centralized system negatively impacts tribal students and fails to consider the cultural and linguistic needs of Adivasi communities.

Karat highlighted that the new recruitment guidelines set by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) mandate proficiency in English and Hindi but ignore state and Adivasi languages. She emphasized the importance of having a teaching faculty that understands not only the local language but also the cultural context of the students.

Referencing the 2023 budget speech by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Karat noted plans to recruit over 38,000 staff for EMRS in the next five years. She questioned the feasibility of the current method, citing high absenteeism and transfer requests among non-local hires. She called for a recruitment policy favoring local candidates to ensure better educational outcomes for tribal students.

(With inputs from agencies.)