The Nagaland government has stepped up efforts to complete and operationalise several Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across the state. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed the Nagaland Legislative Assembly that work is progressing on at least 19 such schools that are currently under construction, and the government is aiming to make many of them operational by next year.The chief minister shared the details while replying to a starred question raised by Jwenga Seb during the Assembly session on March 12. He said the EMRS projects in Nagaland fall under two phases of the centrally sponsored scheme. The earlier phase was implemented by the Planning Department, while the newer phase is being handled by the Department of Tribal Affairs.Providing details of the progress, Rio said that under the old phase of the scheme, the EMRS project at Phenshunyu in Tseminyu district has reached about 75 per cent physical progress. Financial progress for the project has already crossed 96 per cent. Another school under the same phase, located at Kade in Phek district, has recorded around 60 per cent physical progress.
According to the chief minister, the financial progress for this project has already reached 100 per cent. He told the House that both these projects are likely to be completed by next month if the work continues as planned.The chief minister also informed the Assembly about the status of projects being implemented under the new phase of the scheme. Several EMRS campuses are currently under construction in different districts of Nagaland. These include schools at Chiechama in Kohima district, Tuli in Mokokchung district, Pelhang in Peren district, Vidima in Dimapur district, Riphyim in Wokha district and Phelungre in Kiphire district.According to Rio, construction work at these locations has shown steady progress. The physical progress of these projects currently ranges from about 33 per cent to more than 60 per cent. However, he said that the expected completion timeline for many of these schools is December 2027.
Apart from these projects, the Department of Tribal Affairs is also implementing several additional EMRS projects in other parts of the state. These include locations such as Watiyim, Longwa, Tening, Longsa, Noklak, Noksen, Akhakhu, Japu, Botsa, Tamlu and Yimjenkimong.The government said that these schools are being developed with the aim of improving access to quality education for tribal students living in remote areas of the state. The Eklavya Model Residential School scheme is designed to provide residential schooling facilities along with modern education for students belonging to Scheduled Tribe communities.
