Context:

• The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), in collaboration with UNICEF India, has launched the “TALASH” (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub) initiative for tribal students.

Key Points:

• ‘TALASH’ is a digital platform designed to empower tribal students in discovering their personal and academic abilities, career planning, and life skills development.
• The initiative aims to benefit more than 1,38,336 students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) spread across 28 states and 8 union territories.

Core Objectives:

• Self-awareness: Help students understand their interests, abilities, and strengths.
• Career Guidance: Provide resources and counseling to enable informed career decisions.
• Life Skills Development: Enhance skills like communication, problem-solving, and emotional management.
• Teacher Empowerment: Enable teachers to guide students better through training and resources.
• Inclusive Education: Ensure equal educational opportunities for tribal communities in line with NEP 2020.

Key Features of TALASH

Psychometric Assessment

• Feature: Inspired by NCERT’s ‘TAMANNA’ initiative, this assessment analyzes students’ interests, aptitudes, and personality traits.
• Impact: Suggests personalized career paths based on strengths and interests—particularly crucial for tribal students often lacking proper career guidance.
• Significance: This data-driven approach builds self-awareness and confidence in students, forming a solid foundation for their future.

Career Counseling

• Feature: Career cards and counseling sessions provided through the digital platform.
• Impact: Helps students choose careers aligned with their abilities and aspirations, connecting them to mainstream education and employment.
• Significance: A revolutionary tool for tribal students in remote areas where counseling services are limited.

Life Skills and Self-Esteem Modules

• Feature: Modules focus on communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and confidence-building.
• Impact: Empowers students academically, personally, and socially—crucial for tribal youth facing socio-cultural challenges.
• Significance: Life skills are essential for success in the competitive 21st-century world, promoting self-reliance and resilience.

E-learning Portal for Teachers

• Feature: A dedicated portal offering training and resources for teachers.
• Impact: 189 teachers have been trained and are now leading training sessions in their respective schools.
• Significance: Teacher empowerment is central to TALASH’s success, as teachers are the primary mentors for students.

Implementation Strategy

• The implementation of TALASH follows a phased and inclusive approach:
• Phased Rollout: Initially launched in selected cities, with the goal to cover all EMRS by the end of 2025.
• Teacher Training: 189 teachers trained across 75 schools play a crucial role in localized implementation.
• Technology Utilization: Digital platforms deliver resources and training to remote areas, promoting inclusion.
• Continuous Improvement: The platform will be updated based on feedback and periodic assessments to align with evolving student needs.

National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020)

Introduction:

• Announced on 29 July 2020 by the Government of India.
• First comprehensive reform in education since the 1986 Policy.
• Aims to make India a global knowledge superpower by ensuring education that is inclusive, holistic, flexible, and relevant to 21st-century needs.

Key Objectives:

• Achieve 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2030.
• Ensure 6% of GDP public spending on education.
• Provide quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all.
• Emphasize the holistic development (physical, mental, social, moral) of students.
• Promote technical, vocational, and skill-based education.

Major Features by Sector:

Structure (5+3+3+4):

• 5 Years: Foundational Stage (3 years pre-primary + Grades 1–2)
• 3 Years: Preparatory Stage (Grades 3–5)
• 3 Years: Middle Stage (Grades 6–8)
• 4 Years: Secondary Stage (Grades 9–12)

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

Overview:

• A flagship scheme of the Government of India to provide free, quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from Grades 6 to 12.
• • Launched in: 1997–98
• • Administered by: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through NESTS (National Education Society for Tribal Students), an autonomous body.

Establishment & Expansion:

• Reformed in 2018–19; EMRS to be set up in blocks with over 50% ST population and minimum 20,000 tribal people.
• Target: Establish 728 EMRS by 2026.
• Funding: Schools are funded through grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution to states/UTs.