Vijayawada: The govt has decided to build modern hostels with required infrastructure for children studying and staying in tribal ashram schools. The Centre has given its nod to the proposal sent by the state govt and agreed to grant Rs 155 crore for the project. About 31 ashram schools will be provided with new hostels while additional classroom blocks will be constructed in 39 schools.
After seeing the poor infrastructure in tribal hostels and schools, HRD minister Nara Lokesh asked the tribal welfare dept to ready a detailed project report (DPR) to provide all facilities to the schools. Subsequently, the tribal welfare dept discussed the issue with the Union tribal welfare ministry and sought support to strengthen the tribal educational institutions. The Centre expressed its willingness to spare funds for the project, and has tied up the DPR sent by the state govt with Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) programme, though Rs 155 crore would be released.
Lokesh has asked tribal welfare minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani to personally look into the development of tribal schools. He asked her to bring to his notice if funds granted by the Centre are insufficient to complete the works. “We want tribal schools to be upgraded with all required infrastructure. We want the tribal children to study in better conditions as we want to make them champions in their respective fields,” said Lokesh.
In addition to the construction of new hostels and classroom buildings, the govt will also take up modernization of existing hostels in 40 locations for Rs 13 crore.
