Student dropouts from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), set up to provide quality education to tribal children, have increased sharply in recent years, with 552 such cases recorded in 2024-25 compared to just 111 in 2021-22, official data show.

The highest dropouts in the 2024-25 academic year were reported from Chhattisgarh (88), Odisha (87), and Madhya Pradesh (71), according to information provided by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey in response to a question in Lok Sabha.

In total, 1,233 tribal students dropped out of EMRSs between 2021-22 and 2024-25. The number has risen each year, from 111 in 2021-22 to 241 in 2022-23 and 329 in 2023-24.

EMRSs are centrally-funded residential schools established in tribal-majority areas to improve access to quality education. As of July 14 this year, 479 EMRSs are functional out of the 728 sanctioned, the minister said.

Odisha reported high dropout numbers, with 84 students leaving EMRSs in 2023-24 and 87 in 2024-25. In Chhattisgarh, dropouts rose from just two in 2021-22 to 88 in 2024-25.

Madhya Pradesh had the highest dropout count in 2022-23 at 101, followed by a dip to 71 in the 2024-25 academic year. Jharkhand saw 30 dropouts in 2022-23 but managed to bring the number down to six in 2024-25.

Other states with high dropout figures in 2024-25 include Maharashtra (68), Andhra Pradesh (66), Rajasthan (45) and Telangana (37).

Uikey said several initiatives have been taken to reduce dropouts, especially among PVTG students. These include digital classrooms, provision of nutritious meals, counselling and vocational education in modern subjects like artificial intelligence and coding.

He said all facilities, including safe hostels, CBSE-aligned curriculum and healthcare, are being provided free of cost to remove economic barriers. Awareness campaigns and outreach in remote tribal areas are also being conducted.

The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), which oversees the scheme, has carried out a large-scale recruitment drive and directed state authorities to appoint guest teachers and non-teaching staff wherever needed.

The government has also significantly stepped-up funding under the EMRS scheme — from Rs 1,200 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 4,748.92 crore in 2024-25 — to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve learning outcomes. PTI