TALASH Initiative: NESTS & UNICEF Launch Life Skills Hub For Tribal Students

Recently, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) in partnership with UNICEF India launched TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub).

About TALASH Initiative

Refers: TALASH is a national- program to support the all-round development of students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
- To improve both the education and personal growth of tribal students across India.
Focus: Search for self-awareness, life skills, and career clarity among tribal youth.
Target: 1.38 lakh+ tribal students across 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
Vision & Goals:
- Foster self-discovery and career planning among tribal youth.
- Enhance personal growth, self-confidence, and life-readiness.
- Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focus on holistic and inclusive education.

Key Components of TALASH
Psychometric Assessments	Based on NCERT’s ‘Tamanna’ initiative. Identifies students’ strengths, interests, and aptitudes. Generates Career Cards with personalized career suggestions.
Career Counselling	Provides informed guidance to help students align goals with abilities. Assists in making strategic educational and career decisions.
Life Skills & Self-Esteem Modules	Develops skills like problem-solving, emotional regulation, and communication. Focuses on building confidence, resilience, and self-worth.
E-Learning for Teachers	A dedicated digital portal offering training and mentoring tools. Enables teachers to support students in academic and emotional growth.

Implementation Strategy

Phased national rollout starting with select cities to ensure smooth implementation.
189 teachers from 75 EMRSs already trained as part of capacity-building.
Target: Full implementation in all EMRSs by the end of 2025.

Significance

First-of-its-kind initiative focused exclusively on tribal students.
Uses technology and evidence-based tools to ensure reach even in remote areas.
Strengthens inclusive, equitable, and future-ready education systems.
Supports India’s broader aim of bridging the tribal education gap.

Complementary Initiatives & Strategic Partnerships
Exam Coaching & Career Support	MoU with Ex-Navodayan Foundation: Provides coaching for IIT-JEE and NEET aspirants. Builds on the achievement that 600+ EMRS students have already cleared these national-level exams. MoU with Tata Motors: Offers skill development and employment support for Class 12 EMRS graduates. Aims to bridge the gap between education and livelihood.
Educator Empowerment	Dedicated digital portal for teacher training and mentoring. Encourages a supportive academic environment through resource sharing and e-learning.
Adi Karmyogi Programme (Parallel Initiative)	Also launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Objective: Build a cadre of motivated field officers with a citizen-centric and delivery-focused approach. Targets capacity-building for 20 lakh tribal stakeholders. Will train: 180 State-level trainers 3,000+ District-level trainers 15,000+ Block-level trainers

Institutional Background

NESTS: An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, established in 2019 to manage Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
UNICEF: A global agency working in 190+ countries, focusing on education, health, and child protection in vulnerable communities.
- Establishment: In 1946, in the aftermath of World War II.
- Honour Received: Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965, the Indira Gandhi Prize in 1989, and the Princess of Asturias Award in 2006.
- Reports Publishes: The State of the World’s Children, The State of the World’s Children reports.
- Headquarters: New York City, USA

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