Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a milestone for Manipur’s tribal education by virtually laying the foundation stone for a new Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Songpejang village, Kangpokpi district, on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari and other officials joined the online ceremony. He called the event “one of the district’s most important moments,” noting that the new EMRS will boost learning in surrounding areas.
EMRS schools are part of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ plan to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) children free, high‑standard residential education from class 6 to 12. The schools feature separate hostels for boys and girls and require staff to live on campus, ensuring a stable learning environment for tribal students.
Kangpokpi already hosts an EMRS in Sapormeina, which has sparked healthy competition among local schools. The new campus aims to build on that success and expand opportunities for tribal learners.
The PM’s virtual visit also reached Churachandpur district, where senior officials joined the National Jan Jantiya Gaurav Diwas event in Gujarat. Sub‑divisional officers organised live viewings of Modi’s address for students and teachers.
India plans to open 728 EMRS schools nationwide, benefiting about 350,000 tribal students. To date, 725 schools have been approved, and 477 are operational. The Central Sector Scheme, launched in 2018‑19, targets one EMRS in every block with over 50 % tribal population and at least 20,000 tribal residents.
The new Songpejang EMRS will strengthen tribal education infrastructure, giving children in Manipur and across the country access to quality, free, residential schooling.
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