Centre Pushes Fast-Track Construction of Tribal Schools: Jual Oram Reviews Progress of 728 EMRS Projects

The Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme is a flagship initiative aimed at providing quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from Class VI to XII in remote and underserved areas.

In a major push to strengthen educational infrastructure in tribal regions, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) across the country, directing agencies to accelerate construction and resolve bottlenecks on priority.

The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, brought together senior officials from Central and State PSUs, CPWD, and representatives from multiple states including Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tripura, and West Bengal.

EMRS: Transforming Tribal Education

The Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme is a flagship initiative aimed at providing quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from Class VI to XII in remote and underserved areas.

Designed to bridge educational gaps, EMRSs focus on:

• Academic excellence

• Sports and physical development

• Skill-building and holistic growth

The initiative is central to ensuring equitable access to education for tribal communities.

728 Schools Approved, Over Half Completed

During the meeting, officials presented the latest status of EMRS construction:

• 728 schools approved nationwide

• 428 school buildings completed

• 249 currently under construction

• 46 in pre-construction stage

The review highlighted steady progress but also underscored the need for faster execution to meet national targets.

Minister Calls for Speed and Accountability

Shri Jual Oram stressed that timely completion of EMRS projects is critical for empowering tribal youth and directed all executing agencies to:

• Expedite construction activities

• Optimize manpower and resource deployment

• Conduct frequent field inspections

• Submit monthly progress reports with clear action plans

He also made it clear that construction agencies will be held accountable for delays, signalling a stricter monitoring approach.

States Asked to Resolve Land and Clearance Issues

A key focus of the meeting was addressing delays caused by land availability and forest clearances. The Minister urged state governments to:

• Resolve pending approvals on priority

• Coordinate closely with central agencies

• Ensure smooth execution at the ground level

Bottlenecks Identified: Infrastructure Gaps

Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Smt. Ranjana Chopra, highlighted critical challenges affecting project timelines, including:

• Lack of approach roads

• Water scarcity at project sites

• Delays in shifting HT/LT power lines

She called for time-bound coordination between agencies and local authorities to address these issues and emphasized the use of the PM Gati Shakti portal for better planning and monitoring.

Multi-Agency Execution Underway

Major executing agencies involved in EMRS construction include:

• CPWD

• HSCL

• TCIL

• WAPCOS

• NPCC

• EPIL

• State government departments and other PSUs

Their state-wise and agency-wise performance was reviewed, with a focus on quality standards and adherence to timelines.

EMRS Linked to Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision

Shri Jual Oram reaffirmed that the expansion of EMRSs is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, emphasizing inclusive development.

He noted that strengthening education in tribal areas is key to:

• Empowering tribal youth

• Enhancing participation in nation-building

• Building a self-reliant and equitable India

A Mission for Inclusive Growth

The government views EMRS as a transformative initiative, not just in education but in social and economic upliftment of tribal communities.

With renewed focus on execution, accountability, and inter-agency coordination, the Centre aims to ensure that these schools become centres of excellence in remote regions, bridging long-standing disparities in access to quality education.