17 Acquisition Schools in Tripura till 2023-24 academic year: Minister

Agartala: Union Minister Bishweswar Todo on Tuesday said that a total of 17 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Tripura will be operational by the 2023-24 academic session.

There are currently only four such educational institutions in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pushing for proper education for the tribal youth as he believes that only better education can change them, ”said the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs.

Todo, who is on a two-day visit to the state, met with officials from the tribal welfare and water resources departments to review the progress of the two ministries’ schemes.

Construction of 16 Eklavya Model residential schools has already started but could not be started due to land acquisition issue for a proposed institute. As work progresses, students will be able to enroll in the new Eklavya schools until the 2023-24 academic session, “Todo said.

He also said that about Rs. 40 crore would be spent for the establishment of each Eklavya school and about 500 tribal students would be allowed to study in each English medium school.

All Eklavya model residential schools follow the CBSE curriculum.
“Once tribal students pass such English medium schools with CBSE curriculum, they will be able to make the best of their careers. They may also appear for various entrance tests.” He claimed.

In order to provide quality education to tribal students in their own environment, a separate central sector scheme was created in 2018 to increase the geographical access of Eklavya Model Residential School to more than 50% of the population of listed tribes and at least Up to 20,000 could be reached. Tribal people based on 2011 census data.

Todo also mentioned the Centre’s recent decision to include the Darlong tribe in the ST category.

The Darlong community, one of the 19 tribes of Tripura, was denied ST status. After approval of the bill by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, it has been sent to President Ram Nath Kovind for approval. Once he clears the matter, Darling will reap the benefits of ST, “he said.

According to the 2011 census, Darlong, considered an elite of the state’s 19 tribes, has a population of only 11,000.