The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) successfully organized a two-day workshop on “Building Quality Infrastructure for Tribal Education” on 21st and 22nd November 2025 at Akashvani Bhawan, New Delhi. The workshop is part of the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure for tribal communities through Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), ensuring sustainable and effective learning environments for achieving Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Vision & Tribal Transformation Through Education.

Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs Inaugurates Workshop and Unveils   Engineers’ Handbook.

Ms. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal inaugurated the workshop and released the EMRS Engineers’ Handbook for Building. She underscored that the aim of the workshop is to strengthen the coordination between NESTS, the project team, and the site engineers implementing EMRS projects. She noted that EMRSs play a pivotal role in enabling generational social mobility by providing holistic and dignified educational environments that instil confidence and pride among tribal children and their families.

She emphasized the importance of safety, structural integrity, and aesthetics in school construction, stating that these institutions are symbols of hope and opportunity. While acknowledging site-related challenges, she reiterated that diligence, transparent communication, and aligned expectations are essential to delivering high-quality EMRS campuses that support brighter futures for tribal students. She added that the workshop is expected to bridge information gaps, address technical queries, and foster coordinated efforts toward building safe and inspiring school infrastructure.

Address by Commissioner, NESTS

At the start, Shri Ajeet K. Srivastava, Commissioner, NESTS, welcomed the Chief Guest, Ms. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs. In his inaugural address, he highlighted the significant progress made under the EMRS programme, with 499 schools currently functional, 397 school buildings completed, and the remaining schools at various stages of construction or pre-construction. He emphasized the critical need for completing EMRS projects on time while maintaining high construction quality, stating:
“Non-completion of good quality EMRS on time means tribal children not going to school, which is unacceptable.”

About the Workshop

The workshop brought together engineers from various PSUs, CPWD, State Governments, and construction agencies. Designed as a capacity-building exercise, the programme focused on accelerating construction progress while adhering to best quality practices. This initiative aligns with the Government’s commitment to developing robust school infrastructure in remote tribal regions.

The sessions covered key technical areas such as project planning and monitoring, geotechnical investigations, material testing, earthwork, and reinforcement practices specific to tribal areas. Detailed discussions were held on architectural layouts, planning frameworks, and region-specific construction challenges. Participants highlighted the importance of customizing construction approaches to the geographical and cultural contexts of tribal communities to ensure long-term sustainability.

Expert Inputs for Quality Construction

Expert speakers from IITs, NITs, CBRI, SAI and other premier institutions shared valuable insights, promoting collaborative problem-solving and innovative solutions. Topics included quality assurance mechanisms, effective material testing techniques, and project management strategies. Interactive Q&A sessions enabled participants to address field-level challenges and exchange practical knowledge related to EMRS development.

This pioneering workshop marks a significant step in NESTS’ mission to enhance educational access and quality for tribal students, reaffirming its commitment to providing equal opportunities and transforming the educational landscape in tribal areas.RN/

*****

RN/

(Release ID: 2193403) Visitor Counter : 352