Cabinet Approves Rs 2242 Crore Revamp Of Tribal Education Sector; 462 New Eklavya Schools To Come Up Across Country

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by the PM Modi has given its in-principle approval for setting up of 462 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) across the country.

The new schools would be set up in every blocks that have a 50 per cent Scheduled Tribe (ST) population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.

The CCEA has approved a budget of Rs 2242.03 crore for 2018-19 and 2019-20 to roll out the revamped scheme. In addition to this, the CCEA has recommended the setting up of an Autonomous Society under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on the lines of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti to run the EMRSs.

It has also approved the upgrade of already sanctioned EMRSs with a maximum budget of Rs 5 crore per school. Sports facilities would also be made available in 163 tribal dominated districts at a unit cost of Rs 5 crore each. They are expected to be constructed by the year 2022. Financial provisions for 15 sports facilities during 2018-19 and 2019-20 have also been agreed to.

The EMRSs are special schools that have been set up by the government to impart quality education to ST children. Apart from the school buildings which includes hostels and staff quarters, provisions for a playground, computer lab, teacher resource room etc. are also included in EMRSs. This initiative is believed to have benefitted ST students immensely.

Also Read: Lesson From A Gujarat NGO: Property Rights For Tribals Will See Them Prosper