Out of 38 proposed Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) to be constructed in Meghalaya, only two were “exhibited”.
The educational initiative by establishing EMRS Schools in Meghalaya was initiated in 1997-98 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to empower marginalised communities, particularly the Scheduled Tribes. During the 2018–2019 financial year the Centre approved the EMRS at a cost of Rs 24 crore each.
However, Meghalaya has not been able to construct these model schools except for one in Samanda, East Garo Hills and another school in Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi district.
Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma told the House in his reply to a question raised by VPP MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang on Friday that the two model schools were “exhibited and the building construction has been completed and necessary arrangements for recruitment exam have been done.”
He said that the state government is planning to start the academic session from April 1, 2024-25.
Sangma cited Covid-19 and land issues as reasons for the delay. “However despite the challenges, after holding numerous review meetings we could see the number of schools is in the process of completion. We are expecting to complete at the earliest,” he replied
Marbaniang pointed out that there are three components of the scheme, the EMRS, the Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools and the third is centre of excellence for sports. He said interesting as per the statement provided in the house, as far as the model day boarding school the state says NIL.
The Education Minister replied that the state government has received the project only for the EMRS and not for the model day boarding schools.
To a query raised by Opposition Congress legislator, Dr Celestine Lyngdoh, the minister said as per the ministry guidelines, land has to be donated free of cost by community.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also took part in the reply and said, “I was very much deeply involved in this entire process so before 2018 there were just two schools that were there for the state. After realising that this project component was there, we pushed very impressively and that is when Government of India sanctioned all these schools that are mentioned out here”.
He said the different components that are being mentioned by the different members, there are three different components and it’s not that they’re all part of one component. So there is a EMRS there’s a day boarding there’s a school thing at the sports which are different components.
“So when we moved ahead with the first component, we got the sanction with great difficulty. There was a tendering process through which the agencies were selected. Government of India selected those agencies and accordingly two agencies were selected and there were numerous challenges because of COVID-19 and additionally we had issues with land,” he added.
He said, “We have made a lot of progress in many of the locations where we’re having repeated meetings with the agencies and finally we’re seeing things move forward. Two projects that were implemented by the state government are complete and we should be seeing those starting the current session very soon.”
UDP MLA from Nongpoh constituency, Mayralborn Syiem enquired about the recruitment process to which Rakkam replied that is as per the guidelines.
Rakkam further clarified that the reservation policy of the state will not apply as of now but they are pursuing the matter.
