New Delhi
Maintaining that the present centralised process of recruitments in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) is “deeply flawed” with “no regard for Adivasi cultures and languages”, CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat on Monday wrote to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram seeking his intervention to ensure “local recruitment” and reversal of the “present method of recruitment…in the interests of the students”.
“A great deal depends on the teaching faculty and their sensitivity and commitment to understanding the framework of Adivasi cultures, languages and requirements. Unfortunately, the present method of recruitment for teaching and also non-teaching staff as well as for the post of Principal of these EMR schools is itself deeply flawed and is bound to result in undermining if not destroying the very purpose of these schools,” Karat said in her letter to Oram.
The CPI (M) leader said the centralised examination has no regard for knowledge of Adivasi cultures and made it compulsory for all candidates to have “language competency” in both English and Hindi but not in the language of the state or that of the Adivasi communities.
She pointed out that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had in her 2023 budget speech declared that the Central agency National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) would recruit over 38,000 staff for EMRs over the next five years. “Why should the state language be ignored? Why should competence not include knowledge of Adivasi cultures and languages? Why should Hindi be imposed in states where it is not the spoken language as is the case in states in south or east and northeast India?” she asked.
Stating that the recruits are asked to learn the “local language” within two years, Karat said: “Is this feasible? And even if it is, what happens in those two years when language becomes the barrier for the children to learn? Practically, it is the children who will be forced to adjust to a language alien to them with all the grave consequences for their learning.”
She further pointed out that in EMRS, which is often situated in remote areas, it has been the experience that non-local teachers and staff have high rates of absenteeism on some pretext or the other and a large number of such recruits desire transfers to places closer to their homes and families. She quoted the Ministry website, which states no requests for change of posting are being considered at present.
“The best way to guarantee the students’ interests is to ensure that the staff and faculty of the EMRS comprise those familiar with the language spoken by the students and the cultural framework within which they live. Only local recruitment should be considered,” she said.
“The EMRs are an important institution to help tribal students. However, the present method of recruitment must be reversed in the interests of the students. I request you to give due consideration to this issue,” she urged Oram.
