The Late Laxmanrao Mankar Smriti Sanstha, operating under the guidance of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the chairmanship of Mumbai businessman Atul Shirodkar, has announced plans to expand Ekal Vidyalayas into tribal areas across Maharashtra. This initiative aims to provide quality education to children in remote and underserved tribal regions, bridging the educational gap.
Expansion Plans
The expansion will focus on establishing new Ekal Vidyalayas in districts with significant tribal populations, such as Nandurbar, Dhule, Gadchiroli, and Palghar. Each school will follow the single-teacher model, offering basic literacy and numeracy skills along with moral education. The Sanstha aims to set up at least 200 new schools in the first phase, targeting areas where government schools are inaccessible or underperforming.
Community Involvement
Local community leaders and tribal elders will be involved in the school management to ensure cultural relevance and sustainability. The curriculum will incorporate local languages and traditions alongside standard subjects. The Sanstha will also provide teacher training and regular monitoring to maintain quality standards.
Atul Shirodkar emphasized the importance of education in tribal upliftment and reiterated the Sanstha's commitment to the cause. The expansion is expected to benefit over 10,000 children in the first year, with plans to double that number in subsequent phases.
