In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) have joined hands to strengthen digital education and upgrade infrastructure in 42 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, NCL will provide ₹5 crore towards this project, aimed at empowering tribal youth through modern education and better facilities. The project will be implemented by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a Section 8 company under the Ministry, in a time-bound manner.
Key Highlights of the Initiative
- Digital Education Support: Provision of 950 computers, 950 UPS systems, and 90 tablets to promote 21st-century digital literacy skills among tribal students.
- Health & Hygiene Support: Installation of 430 sanitary pad vending machines and 430 sanitary pad incinerators to improve menstrual health and hygiene of girl students.
- Beneficiaries: More than 26,000 tribal students, including 13,500 girl students, will benefit from this initiative.
Objectives of the Project
- Digital Inclusion: Establish computer labs and enhance digital learning to help students prepare for higher education and competitive exams such as IIT-JEE and NEET.
- Holistic Development: Strengthen health, hygiene, and overall well-being of students, with a special focus on retention and performance of girl students.
Speaking on the initiative, Jual Oram, Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, highlighted that CSR investments aligned with Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister are crucial to empowering tribal youth through quality education, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.
Currently, 479 EMRS are functional across the country, providing tribal children not just high-quality education but also nutrition, healthcare, and overall development opportunities.
This collaboration between MoTA and NCL marks a significant step forward in ensuring digital empowerment, educational excellence, and holistic development of tribal students.
