State to develop 121 Ashramshalas as ‘model schools’

 

 

 

Maharashtra Government has decided to develop 121 Ashramshalas as ‘model’ ones by equipping these schools in tribal-dominated areas with computers, laboratories, libraries etc. However, the list of 121 Ashramshalas released by Tribal Development Department, has only 32 from Vidarbha region. The Ashramshalas selected for the initiative are under the jurisdiction of Additional Tribal Development Commissioner offices at Nagpur, Amravati, Thane, and Nashik. Under each of these offices, there are Ashramshalas in various districts. Tribal Development Department runs Government and aided Ashramshalas, apart from Eklavya Model Residential School. Children study from Std I to Std XII at these schools. Under the department, there are total 497 Government Ashramshalas spread across the State. Considering the challenges posed by the changes in education system, especially since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the department has decided to develop 121 of Government Ashramshalas on the lines of ‘model schools’. Accordingly, it has identified these Ashramshalas.

 

Under the Amravati office of Additional Tribal Development Commissioner, though 21 schools have been chosen under the scheme, only 13 of them are in Vidarbha region and rest nine are in adjoining Marathwada region. Thankfully, in case of Nagpur office of Additional Tribal Development Commissioner, all 19 schools chosen are in Vidarbha region. However, in sharp contrast, 54 Government Ashramshalas under Nashik office of Additional Tribal Development Commissioner have been chosen for implementation of ‘model Ashramshala’ project. Under the Thane office of Additional Tribal Development Commissioner, 27 schools have been chosen. Under the scheme, the department will provide various facilities to the chosen Government Ashramshalas. These amenities include well-equipped building hosting ICT laboratory, Science laboratory, digital classroom, virtual classroom, computer laboratory, library, music and arts department, adequate number of toilets.

 

There shall be well-equipped separate hostel buildings for boys and girls, staff quarters for teaching and non-teaching employees, well-equipped dining room, and multipurpose hall, separate toilets for physically challenged students, arrangement for clean and safe drinking water, good classrooms, playground and sports equipment, separate sick room, solar inverter, wash area, protection wall. There is provision for CCTV cameras in ‘adequate number’. Besides, efforts will be taken to inculcate in students the values like creative thinking, critical thinking, scientific temperament, collaboration, following Constitutional values, communication skills.

 

Reference books and encyclopaedia will be made available in library. Focus will be on developing language skills in mother-tongue of students and English. Activity-based learning, e-learning , and other facilities also will be made available to transform the Government Ashramshalas into ‘model Ashramshalas’. A committee headed by Commissioner, Tribal Development, and comprising all Additional Tribal Development Commissioners and others, will take stock of physical and educational facilities at the chosen Ashramshalas, every month.

 

Government Ashramshalas from Vid chosen under the scheme n Korta (Pusad); Jamb, Kapra, Botni, Antargaon, Shibla, Hiwri (Pandharkawda); Dom, Tembli, Susurda, Manikpur (Dharni); Kothali, Kinhi Raja (Akola); Kasnasur, Laheri, Kothali (Bhamragad); Zinganoor (Aheri); Borda, Maregaon (Chandrapur); English Medium School at Gadchiroli, Bhakrondi, Kotgul, Markanda Dev, Rangi, Sonsari, Regadi, Murumgaon (Gadchiroli); Chandankheda (Chimur); Belda (Nagpur); Borgaon Bazar, Jamakudo, Kadikasa (Deori). (* The names in the bracket are of respective Project Offices of Tribal Development Department).