New Delhi: Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) has partnered with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) to strengthen education and infrastructure in 42 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Announced on September 15, this Rs 5 crore CSR project will provide digital tools, health facilities, and capacity building measures that will benefit more than 26,000 tribal students.
Eklavya Model Residential Schools were set up by MoTA to provide quality education, nutrition, and overall growth opportunities for Scheduled Tribe students. With 479 such schools currently operational across the country, the ministry has been seeking support from corporate partners to expand their reach and impact. The new initiative is being carried out by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a Section 8 company under MoTA.
A key part of the collaboration is the promotion of digital learning. NCL will provide 950 computers, 950 UPS units, and 90 tablets to create computer labs across the 42 schools. The facilities will allow students to take part in programs such as digital tutoring for IIT-JEE and NEET, as well as the ministry’s Digital Transformation Program. “Equipping tribal students with digital tools is not just about access, it’s about empowering them to compete on a global stage,” said a senior MoTA official.
The project also addresses health and hygiene needs, especially for girl students. NCL will fund 430 sanitary pad vending machines and 430 incinerators, benefiting more than 13,500 female students. “Access to proper menstrual hygiene facilities can transform the educational experience for girls,” said an NSTFDC representative. “By addressing this basic need, we’re helping ensure that female students can focus on their studies without barriers.”
Teachers and administrators at the schools have welcomed the move. “The addition of computers and tablets will open new avenues for learning,” said a principal at an EMRS in Madhya Pradesh. “Our students are eager to explore digital platforms, and this support will make that possible.”
By combining digital infrastructure with health facilities, the initiative aims to create an environment where tribal students can pursue both academic and personal growth. The timing of the announcement, close to the festive season, adds to the sense of optimism.
The NCL-MoTA collaboration reflects a growing model of CSR-driven education programs for underserved communities. With its large-scale rollout and time-bound execution, the project is expected to become a reference point for other companies looking to invest in tribal development and digital education.
BI Bureau
