Agartala: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha today said that the state government will complete the construction work of six more Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) by March 2026, and through these schools, we can preserve culture and language.
Dr. Saha said this after inaugurating the 480-seated Eklavya Model Residential School at the EMRS Campus, Pravapur, Jampuijala.
He said that EMRS is a flagship program of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
“After PM Modi came in 2014, we have seen what EMRS is. In India, PM Modi has physically and virtually inaugurated these schools to provide quality education and holistic development to ST students living in rural areas. In Tripura, 21 EMRS were sanctioned and so far, a total of 12 EMRS have started. I have visited two classes. In this school, 60 students have taken admission and around 480 students will take admission soon. The admission process will start shortly. The main aim of EMRS is to provide quality education to Janajati children from Class 6 to 12. PM Modi always says that we must provide proper education and all facilities to the last mile of society,” said Dr. Saha.
Dr. Saha also informed that in the NE zone there are still some places where EMRS have not yet started; however, Tripura has received 21.
“From NITI Aayog, Tripura has received the Front Runner State status. Our state is the third fully literate state. We are working for the development of education, and based on all criteria, our state has been declared a fully literate state. As per UNESCO guidelines, if 95% of the population is literate, it will be known as 100%. There was a time when people used to come here for study. Now this has started again, and we are restoring our culture, history, and tradition under the leadership of PM Modi. Through these schools, we can preserve culture and language. Those who will be passing out from EMRS in the coming days will act as agents of change for their social, economic, and cultural development and help decrease the number of dropouts,” said Dr. Saha.
He said that the government is confident that these schools will provide quality education and will be beneficial for Tripura in the coming days.
“Not only education but also sports and skill development are included. These schools are following the CBSE curriculum and, keeping the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya model in view, these EMRS have started. Free boarding, dress, books, and everything are provided free of cost, along with special coaching classes. In these EMRS, a total of 2,475 students have taken admission, among whom 1,189 are male and 1,286 are female. By March 2026, six more EMRS will be constructed in Ampi, Hezamara, Amarpur, Chawmau, Mandwai, and Manu. Once we complete 21 EMRS, over 10,000 students can take admission. We have also increased the pre-matric scholarship for the students,” he added.
During the event, Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, Secretary K. Sasikumar, Tribal Welfare Director Subhasis Das, Sepahijala District Magistrate Sidharth Shiv Jaiswal, and SP Namit Pathak were present.
