Shillong, Feb 13: The Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Samanda, Rikwarenggre in East Garo Hills district was inaugurated today by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
The event also marked the launch of the fist academic session of the EMRS, implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide free education to ST children from class VI to XII in residential set up.
The Samanda EMRS is currently functioning up to Class VIII with 130 students, with 50 additional admissions scheduled this month.
Principal of the school Dr. M. Nandagopal said enrolment is expected to rise to 220 in the next academic session and will expand annually until full capacity is reached.
He said that East Garo Hills is set to have three EMRS schools, two of which are already operational, in line with the government’s objective of establishing such schools in tribal-dominated blocks.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for a supportive ecosystem. “We need to create a conducive and secure educational environment not only for students but for teachers as well,” he said.
He announced that 20 computers would be funded for the institution under the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund and assured that issues relating to telecom connectivity would be taken up with the concerned authorities. He also requested the PHE Minister to follow up on improving water supply to the school.
Cabinet Minister Marcuise N. Marak thanked the A’king Nokma for donating land for the school and said the institution would benefit students from Samanda and adjoining areas. He noted that faculty from different parts of the country would expose students to diverse cultural experiences and promote national integration.
He emphasized the importance of preserving local languages, including Garo, Khasi and Jaintia, while encouraging students to learn Hindi, observing that teachers from different states would help students gain fluency and strengthen their communication skills.
