The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its in-principle approval to set up Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) in every district or block with more than 50 percent Scheduled Tribes (ST) population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.
To implement the revamped scheme effectively, the committee has approved Rs 2,242 crore funding for 2018-19 and 2019-20. In addition to that, an Autonomous Society on lines of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs will run the EMRSs, stated an official release by the Government.
According to the official statement, 462 new EMRSs will be established in 102 blocks across the country.
Under the The new scheme, the construction cost of EMRS from has been raised from Rs 12 crore to Rs 20 crore with an objective to improve the construction quality and ensure better facilities for the students, the release added.
“EMRS is an excellent approach for imparting quality education to ST children. Apart from school building including hostels and staff quarters, provision for a playground, students’ computer lab, teacher resource room, etc are also included in the EMRSs. This initiative will benefit ST students immensely,” the release further said.
“By focusing on specific intervention to cater to the educational needs of STs, the quality of life of STs is expected to improve to the level of rest of the social groups and a visible impact by 2021 Census,” it added.
