NESTS-Amazon Tie-Up To Train Eklavya School Teachers

New Delhi

The National Education Society for Tribal Students’ (NESTS) two-day face-to-face capacity building programme for EMRS teachers, starting Wednesday, is aimed at implementing the Amazon Future Engineer Program (CSR Programme) in collaboration with the Learning Links Foundation (LLF).

The LLF is a philanthropic organization working for ‘Amazon Future Engineer Program’ that is unique in the area of computational skills training for students and teachers of EMRSs.

The training workshop includes a brief about early access to computer science education for tribal and other communities by way of exposing the students to simple computational skills all the way up to data-coding skills.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda said that the collaboration between NESTS and Amazon will empower teachers and students in the field of digital education and help in initiating a digital communication with the people living in far flung areas. He said the students of EMRS will benefit a lot from the Future Engineer Programme that will serve as a stepping stone in creating computer awareness for the tribal students of EMRS.

The Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) Program is being launched in around 54 EMRSs across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana having access to digital infrastructure including a computer lab and stable active internet connectivity, the Ministry said in a statement.

The Course modules include Computer Science Fundamentals, Introduction to Coding, Logical Sequencing, Learning Loops, Block Programming using open secure source platforms like code.org, Class Chat Sessions to discuss tech space, and different tech initiatives among others.

Modern Information Technology shall enable early exposure to and bolster the preparedness of students for future careers in STEM education.

The proposed training workshop for EMRS teachers will serve as a stepping stone in creating awareness about the potential of Computer Science in students of EMRS as well as access to quality IT education in our schools, the Ministry said.

NESTS has also joined hands with Microsoft for the digital transformation of as many as 36 EMRS in the first phase of the Centre’s new initiative. Microsoft is preparing a bi-lingual AI curriculum for tribal students in English and Hindi languages that will be taught at all EMRS schools to upskill both the educators and students in next-gen technologies

Update

7 Kuki-Zo camps to be relocated to tribal areas

The Union Home Ministry and Manipur’s Kuki-Zo insurgent groups have reached an understanding to relocate seven camps from near Meitei-dominated areas. The decision follows a second round of talks on Monday under the 2008 Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. “It has been agreed in principle that any relocated camps should be in tribal areas. The locations of the new camps in tribal areas will be discussed at a third meeting to be scheduled,” an official said. While Meiteis have opposed the pact blaming armed Kuki militants for involvement in the protracted strife, Kukis have accused Meitei groups, including Arambai Tenggol, of stoking the violence.