In an ambitious plan to bring tribal children in mainstream, Maharashtra Government would start dedicated English medium schools in all 16 tribal districts in the state from next academic year.
        "The Department has approved 82 English medium schools from the next academic year in all 16 tribal districts," tribal development minister Babanrao Pachpute told PTI.
        Of the two lakh tribal students studying in 1,100 schools across the state, the government is expecting a lakh students to benefit from the project, Pachpute said.
        "A simultaneous programme to attract more students and sustain their attendance would also be implemented with the project," the minister said.
        Preparations are going on and some schools are already functioning in the state, Pachpute said, adding the remaining would start soon after completing formalities.
        Appreciating the initiative of the state government, the Centre has given an initial grant of Rs36 crore for English schools, he said.
        "Of the 82 schools, we would be able to start 16 to 17 schools with the Central grant," Pachpute said.