Foundation stones laid for 3 Ekalavya Model Residential Schools in Visakhapatnam Agency

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, laid the foundation stone for the construction of three Ekalavya Model Residential Schools in the Visakhapatnam Agency area. These schools are being constructed under an initiative of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. One school is to be constructed in each Mandal of the agency area, at a cost of Rs. 22-25 crores each. 

On Monday, the foundation stones were laid for three Ekalavya Model Residential Schools at Araku, Pedabayalu and G Madugula respectively. Each school will have a boys hostel, girls hostel, accommodation for the principal and teachers quarters. Built on 15 acres, 5 acres will be for the school itself and 10 acres for the playground. These schools are to be constructed in a period of fourteen months, from Central Government’s funding on land allotted by the Andhra Pradesh State Government. The remaining schools’ construction will be completed in another fourteen months. 

Talking about these residential schools, Project Officer at Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Mr. R Gopalakrishna IAS revealed that these schools will be set up in the model of Jawahar Navodaya Schools. Each school will consist of students from class 6 to intermediate. Classes 6-10 will have 60 students each while intermediate classes will have 90 students each. Each class will have a proportionate number of boys and girls. This way, each Ekalavya Model Residential School will consist of 480 students. 

Each Ekalavya Model Residential School will have 45 staff members, allotted by the Government of India. Students will be provided with breakfast, morning snacks, lunch, evening snacks and dinner. 

Currently, there are three Ekalavya Model residential schools functional at Munchingput, Dumbriga, and Gudem Kotha Veedhi Mandals in the Visakhapatnam Agency.

Celebrating Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stones for around 50 Ekalavya Model Residential Schools throughout the country in a virtual capacity.