NESTS Launches Capacity Building Workshop for Hostel Wardens of EMRS in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Odisha Model Tribal Education Society (OMTES) of the ST & SC Development Department, has launched a four-day Induction-cum-Capacity Building Workshop for hostel wardens of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across Odisha.

The programme, being held from 19th to 22nd August at the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Bhubaneswar, has brought together 60 hostel wardens, both male and female, from different EMRS institutions in the state.

Inaugurating the workshop, Prof. Manasi Goswami, Principal In-charge of RIE Bhubaneswar, underscored the vital role of wardens in residential schools. Calling them the “soul of the residential school system,” she emphasized their responsibility in ensuring discipline, holistic management, and the overall well-being of students.

Following the inaugural session, Pranati Patro, Joint Director, SC & ST Department and in charge of OMTES, interacted with participants. She highlighted the importance of emotional and psychological support for hostel students, noting that a nurturing environment is key to their academic success and personal growth.

The workshop is being coordinated by B. K. Mahanti, Consultant, and focuses on strengthening the professional capacity of hostel wardens. The sessions are designed to equip them with skills to foster a more supportive and enabling environment for tribal students in residential schools, thereby contributing to their overall development.