The Union Government has announced plans to establish 440 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), ensuring one school in every block with over 50% Scheduled Tribe (ST) population and at least 20,000 tribal residents, as per the 2011 Census. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Durga Das Uikey, shared this information in the Rajya Sabha.
The EMRS initiative, launched in 2018-19, aims to provide tribal children with quality education comparable to Navodaya Vidyalayas. Initially, 288 schools were funded under Article 275(1) of the Constitution and are now being upgraded under the new model. The government plans to establish a total of 728 EMRSs, benefiting around 3.5 lakh ST students across India.
Each EMRS will offer modern educational infrastructure, including smart classrooms, science labs, libraries, and digital learning tools. Residential facilities will include separate hostels for boys and girls, along with essential amenities. Vocational training, health services, and extracurricular activities will also be integral.
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has been tasked with managing EMRS operations. Additionally, the Ministry is collaborating with other government bodies to enhance digital learning, skill development, and scholarship opportunities for tribal students.