President Honours Odisha’s OMTES for Transforming Tribal Education Across 71 EMRS Schools
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Model Tribal Education Society (OMTES), an autonomous body functioning under the ST & SC Development Department of the Government of Odisha, has been formally honoured by the Hon’ble President of India for its transformative impact on tribal education and educational equity.
The recognition was conferred during the prestigious Janjatiya Gourav Pakhwada programme, where Shri Surendra Kumar Meena, Secretary of OMTES, received the official felicitation on behalf of the organisation.
The honour celebrates OMTES’s sustained administrative resolve, strategic leadership, and the grassroots dedication of educators working to uplift tribal communities across the state.
At the core of Odisha’s tribal education revolution is the rapid expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
Currently, OMTES oversees 71 operational EMRSs across the state, providing thousands of tribal students with modern residential facilities, structured academic mentoring, and holistic extracurricular development.
During the ceremony, special commendations were also extended to exemplary institutions and regional bodies, including EMRS Ranki, EMRS Karanjia, and the district administrations of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, for their pivotal roles in driving student welfare at the district level.
Furthermore, OMTES acknowledged the continuous guidance and collaborative backing of the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, noting that central-state synergy has been instrumental in bridging educational disparities in rural and tribal belts.
With this national accolade, Odisha reinforces its commitment to empowering every tribal child with quality education and equal opportunities for a prosperous future.
