Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau Member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), wrote a letter to Shri Jual Oram, Minister for Tribal Affairs, Government of India on 15th July 2024, seeking intervention to reverse the present centralised processes of recruitment in EMR schools which adversely affect tribal students.

We are herewith publishing the text of the letter.

July 15, 2024
Adaraniya Shri Juel Oram ji,

Johar and Namaskar. Greetings on your new responsibility as Union Minister for Tribal Affairs.

I write to draw your attention and seek your intervention to protect the interests of Adivasi students studying in EMR schools across India. These schools are mandated to promote the best educational practices and to provide opportunities for Adivasi students. A great deal depends on the teaching faculty and their sensitivity and commitment to understand 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.

I refer to the new method of recruitment adopted by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) following the decision by the central Government. Whereas earlier the recruitment was done through state authorities, in her budget speech in 2023, the Finance Minister declared that the Central agency NESTS would recruit over 38,000 staff for EMRs over the next five years. A centralised examination with no regard whatsoever for knowledge of Adivasi cultures, was designed. This shockingly made it compulsory for all candidates to have “language competency” in both English and Hindi but not in the language of the state, leave alone that of the Adivasi communities. 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 north east India? It is stated that recruits are asked to learn the “local language” within two years. 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.

EMRs are 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. A large number of such recruits desire transfers to places closer to their homes and families. Indeed, the website of your Ministry and also that of the NESTS has specifically had to state, presumably because of the large number of requests received that “All posted candidates are requested not to approach NESTS office for change of place of posting. At present, no request for change of place of posting is being considered. Moreover, the transfers, whenever [they] happen, will be through the transfer portal on the NESTS website which will be made live once transfer policy is published.”

The best way to guarantee the students interests is to ensure that the staff and faculty of the EMR schools comprise of those who are familiar with the language spoken by the students and the cultural framework within which they live. Only local recruitment should be considered. A lesson has been in that of Andhra Pradesh before it was divided. There was 100 per cent reservation for ST teachers in tribal dominated areas which ensured regular attendance and teaching. When this was struck down by the Justice Arun Mishra headed bench of the Supreme Court and recruitment rules changed, it was found that a large number of the new recruits from non ST communities, were most irregular and also that the children suffered. Now with NESTS highly centralised recruitment pattern in the vacancies in Telangana for JSA’s, it is reported that out of 47 appointees, 44 belong to the state of Haryana and none from Telangana. This is because those from Telangana would not have “competency” in Hindi but would have the “competency” in Telegu which is not considered competence at all. Clearly the present method is an assault also on the federal character of the constitution as well as being damaging for the mandate of the EMRs.

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.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,

Sd/-
Brinda Karat