Tripura Chief Minister on Tuesday announced that the state government plans to establish Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in all 58 development blocks to strengthen education among tribal communities. The initiative aims to improve access to quality education for students from Scheduled Tribe communities across the state.
Speaking at a government programme, the Chief Minister said the move would help bridge educational gaps in remote and tribal-dominated areas. EMRS institutions provide free residential education from Class VI to Class XII, with a focus on academic excellence, sports, and overall personality development.
“At present, several tribal students face difficulties in accessing quality schooling due to geographical and economic constraints. Setting up EMRS in every block will ensure equal educational opportunities,” the Chief Minister said.
According to officials, Tripura already has a few EMRS functioning in select locations. The new plan seeks to expand the network so that tribal students do not have to travel long distances for residential education. The schools will follow CBSE curriculum and will be equipped with modern infrastructure, hostels, laboratories, libraries, and sports facilities.
The Chief Minister added that education remains a key pillar of the state’s development strategy. Along with EMRS, the government is also focusing on scholarships, skill development programmes, and digital learning initiatives for tribal youth.
Officials from the Tribal Welfare Department said land identification and preliminary planning for new EMRS campuses are underway. The project will be implemented in phases, depending on approvals and funding from the Centre.
Educationists and community leaders have welcomed the announcement, stating that residential schooling can play a crucial role in reducing dropout rates and improving learning outcomes among tribal students.
The proposed expansion of EMRS is expected to significantly boost literacy and higher education participation in Tripura’s tribal regions, officials said.
