Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced plans to replace low-enrolment government schools with residential institutions, particularly in TTAADC areas. With 12 Eklavya Model Residential Schools operational and six more expected soon, the government aims to improve access to education.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday announced that the state government is planning to establish residential schools in areas where government schools have recorded low student enrolment, with a particular focus on the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) regions.
Speaking on the sidelines of a programme to inaugurate development projects and lay foundation stones in Unakoti district, the Chief Minister said the government had received approval to establish Eklavya Model Residential Schools in TTAADC areas. He added that 12 such schools had already started functioning, while six more were expected to begin operations soon.
“The remaining schools will be taken up as early as possible,” Saha said, indicating that the government was examining the possibility of expanding residential education facilities in suitable locations across the state.
The Chief Minister said the government was considering closing certain schools in ADC areas where teachers were available but student enrolment remained extremely low or negligible. According to him, the administration was exploring the establishment of residential institutions in locations where children had to travel a kilometre or more to reach educational facilities.
He said the proposal was already under consideration and that the file movement had begun. The government was working towards implementing the plan in the coming days, he added.
The proposed restructuring aims to address the challenges faced by students in remote and underserved areas, where access to educational institutions can be difficult. Residential schools could provide students with accommodation and a more accessible learning environment, although the government’s plans and implementation details remain under consideration.
The Chief Minister’s announcement comes as the state government seeks to strengthen educational infrastructure, particularly in tribal and rural areas. The expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools is expected to form part of the broader effort to improve educational opportunities for students living in areas covered by the TTAADC.
During his interaction with the media, Saha also criticised the previous government, alleging that it had given greater importance to publicity than to actual development work. Referring to a Hindi saying that emphasises working rather than merely talking about work, he claimed that the previous administration had followed the opposite approach.
The Chief Minister further alleged that opposition parties were losing their political presence in Tripura, referring to their performance in recent elections. He claimed that they had failed to use their time in power effectively to improve people’s living standards.
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Saha said the present government was prioritising development and public welfare, stressing the importance of delivering tangible results rather than focusing on publicity.
The proposed residential school initiative is expected to remain an important area of discussion as the government examines options for improving educational access in locations with low enrolment and limited schooling facilities. Further details regarding the identification of schools for closure, the selection of residential school locations and the implementation timeline are yet to be announced.
