In an effort to provide affordable and quality education facilities to children in tribal areas, the Narendra Modi led government has decided to build 400 Eklavya Model residential schools across the country in the next three years, reports ANI.
“We are developing an extensive network of ‘Eklavya Model residential schools in the country. By 2022, more than 400 such new schools will be opened,” said Prime Minister Modi in his address to the Ekal Vidyalaya Sangathan, Gujarat, through video conference on Saturday.
He added that his government is working for the education of tribal children with special emphasis on their skill development. The scholarship schemes for the tribal children have been made more transparent and more opportunity is provided to them for their education, added PM Modi.
The Prime Minister said that his government is caring for even small things in these schools, which are meant for tribal students. “We are paying attention to every small thing like holidays are granted in these schools on tribal festivals. As a result, the drop-out rate has decreased and the tribal children are also happy,” said PM Modi.
“These schools are also being developed to provide them with modern sports facilities,” said Prime Minister Modi.
Emphasising on the need for the government and the society to strive collectively to make the schemes a success, Prime Minister Modi said that in his view, the efforts of the government are not alone sufficient.
PM Modi also praised Ekal Vidyalaya Sangathan for its role in the nation-building by imparting education and awareness to more than 2.8 million rural and tribal children who reside in the remotest locations across India and Nepal.
Addressing Ekal Vidyalaya Sangathan, Gujarat through video call, the Prime Minister congratulated Ekal Vidyalaya Sangathan for spearheading the ‘Ekal School Abhiyan’ which aims to promote the education among rural and tribal children.
Ekal Vidyalaya is a movement involved in the integrated and holistic development of rural & tribal India and Nepal. As the name ‘Ekal Vidyalaya’ suggests, the organisation runs one-teacher schools in the remotest rural and tribal villages to take the education to every child.
The Prime Minister also noted that the Union Government is also working enthusiastically for better education and skill development in India. The Prime Minister remarked that as India completes 75 years of Independence, the success of Ekal Sangathan will help in realising Mahatma Gandhiji’s ideals of Gram Swaraj, social justice of Dr BR Ambedkar, ‘Antyodaya’ of Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Swami Vivekananda’s dream of a glorious India.
