Delhi, 18 July (H.S.): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and Coal India Ltd (CIL) have formed a partnership to enhance education for tribal students in Chhattisgarh. CIL will support 68 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, benefiting over 28,000 tribal students.

The EMRS aim to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children, facilitating access to higher education and employment opportunities while also addressing their health and nutrition. Currently, there are 479 operational EMRS across India.

CIL has allocated Rs 10 crores for initiatives including the establishment of computer labs, with approximately 3,200 computers and 300 tablets, and health hygiene measures like 1,200 sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators.

Additionally, the collaboration includes comprehensive mentorship and residential entrepreneurial boot camps at premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, and NITs. This joint effort seeks to foster a modern learning environment, bridge educational gaps, and provide equal opportunities for the disadvantaged, aligning with the NEP 2020 framework's objective of creating equitable educational opportunities for all. The project will be executed through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC).

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar