The centre has set a target to set up 728 Eklavya Model Residential Schools benefiting around 3.5 lakh Schedule Tribe students across the country. As of date, a total number of 721 schools have been sanctioned across the country, out of which 477 schools are reported to be functional. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey said the Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School was started in 2018-19 to the tribal children in their own environment. He said that under the scheme, the government has decided to establish one Eklavya Model Residential School in every block having more than 50 per cent ST population and at least 20 thousand tribal persons. The Minister highlighted that the government is implementing several initiatives in collaboration with other government bodies to provide tribal students with access to digital and skill-based education.