Why in news?
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Learning Links Foundation in June 2026 to expand the Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) programme to 443 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The collaboration aims to reach over two lakh tribal students and equip them with computer science skills, artificial intelligence literacy and career exposure.
Background
The EMRS scheme began in 1997–98 with the aim of providing high quality residential education to children from Scheduled Tribes. Each school offers classes from VI to XII and can accommodate around 480 students. Schools follow the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum and focus on all‑round development, including sports, arts and vocational training. The government plans to establish an EMRS in every block with more than 50 percent tribal population and at least 20,000 tribal inhabitants. Special provisions exist for day boarding in sparsely populated areas and for centres of excellence in sports.
About the MoU and AFE programme
- Expanded reach: The MoU, valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028, will expand the Amazon Future Engineer programme to 443 EMRSs, up from about 250 schools earlier. It expects to benefit more than two lakh students from classes VI to IX across the country.
- Curriculum components: The AFE programme introduces fundamentals of computer science, coding and artificial intelligence. Students learn about block‑based programming, robotics and problem‑solving through engaging projects.
- Teacher training: To ensure sustainability, the programme trains EMRS teachers in computer science pedagogy and provides them with lesson plans and teaching resources.
- Digital infrastructure: Learning Links Foundation will supply refurbished laptops and tablets to schools. The MoU notes that 284 refurbished laptops and over 900 digital devices will be delivered in the 2026‑27 academic year.
- Career exposure: Students will interact with industry professionals and learn about future careers in technology. The programme includes mentorship sessions and exposure to real‑world problem solving.
Significance
- Bridging the digital divide: By teaching coding and AI concepts to tribal students, the initiative helps bridge disparities in access to technology and digital literacy.
- Empowering teachers: Training teachers in computer science builds long‑term capacity within the EMRS system.
- Inclusive growth: Providing tribal youth with modern skills aligns with the National Education Policy’s goal of equitable and inclusive education. It can open pathways to high‑demand jobs and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
The expansion of the Amazon Future Engineer programme reflects a commitment to empowering tribal students through technology. By combining residential schooling with digital learning, EMRS can nurture future innovators from India’s most remote communities.