Bhubaneswar, July 22: Odisha has 47 functional Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), while construction of 52 more is underway, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Replying to a question by Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, the minister said the Centre has sanctioned 114 EMRSs for Odisha, of which 62 buildings have been completed. Besides the 47 operational schools, the remaining completed institutions will become functional soon.

Mayurbhanj has the highest number of sanctioned EMRSs (23), followed by Sundargarh (16) and Koraput (12). The minister also said recruitment is underway to address staff shortages, while NESTS and State EMRS Societies are monitoring academic performance through remedial classes, mentoring, and other support programmes to improve learning outcomes.