There are 14 Eklavya Model Residential schools running in Odisha under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
This was revealed from the information submitted in the Parliament by Union Tribals Affaris Minister Jual Oram on Monday.
In response to a question, Oram informed that as many as 5,340 students are studying in these schools in Odisha. All Blocks having more than 50 per cent ST population or a minimum of 20,000 tribal people would have a EMRS by 2022, he said.
The Union Government had provided Rs 2242.80 lakh to Odisha in 2017-18 for running these schools. He said Eklavya schools would be on par with the Navodaya Vidyalayas and would have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.
As per Census 2011, there are 564 sub-districts (blocks/taluka/tehsiI) having more than 50 per cent ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons. At present, 102 sub-districts have such schools, he said.