The construction of only one Eklavaya Model Residential School has been completed so far, with many more still pending, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma informed the Assembly here today.
Rakkam was replying to a question from Congress MLA Saleng A Sangma.
According to the minister, work on another 18 residential schools is yet to be complete.
The Eklavya Model Residential Schools are an initiative of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs to ensure tribal students get access to quality education in remote tribal areas. Every block that has 50 percent tribal population and at least 20,000 tribals in number, is eligible for such a school.
According to the ministry’s website, 27 such schools have been sanctioned for Meghalaya. It confirms that construction on one school is complete. It also states that work is in progress on only one other, with 25 yet to even begin. Rs 8 crore has been released for the schools in Meghalaya thus far by the Centre.
Last year, a group of three pressure groups complained that three and a half years after its foundation stone was installed, an Eklavya school in Nengkhra, East Garo Hills, had yet to get off the ground, much to the frustration of the public.
Some of the locations where residential schools are being set up are Thadlaskein, Amlarem, Chokpot, Gambegre, Rongjeng, Shella Bholaganj, Mawsynram, Ranikor and Umsning, among others, Rakkam informed.
All told, the minister said that 36 Eklavya schools will be set up in Meghalaya, with each one costing Rs 20 crore to build. Even though only one has been completed, he said that the other 35 will be ready in three years.
Ekalavya schools will be on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skills.
