India, Sept. 6 -- After a series of protests by tribal students over poor infrastructure, inadequate basic facilities and safety concerns, the Maharashtra government has empowered the tribal development department to initiate the derecognition of residential schools that fail to meet prescribed standards.

Under a government resolution (GR) issued by the tribal development department on Friday, recognised residential schools catering to tribal students can lose their recognition if they are found to have serious deficiencies or fail to rectify shortcomings within the stipulated time. The move pertains to schools operating under a state scheme that provides education to tribal students in reputed English-medium residential schools.

The de...