Govt announces Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities

The Centre has announced Pre-matric scholarship scheme for minority students of class I to X on the part of both the governments of state/union territories. The scheme would be implemented during the current 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012).

As per the government press release the funding will be shared by both Centre and State administration in a ratio of 75:25. As far as Union Territories are concerned, full financial assistance will be provided from the Centre.

Union Minister of Minority Affairs Shri A.R. Antulay while briefing on the scheme in Lok Sabha on Tuesday stated that students having scored not less than 50 percent marks in the last class examination and whose parent’s annual gross income counts below Rs 1 lakh are eligible for this scholarship.

It is proposed to award 25 lakh scholarships during the 11th Five Year Plan. 30 percent of the scholarships are earmarked for girl students. In case required number and eligible girl students are not available then those seats can be transferred to the boys.

Earlier the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Jan 30, 2008 had approved the centrally sponsored scheme to implement it during the ongoing financial year 2007-2008.

The scholarship will be awarded to students from the minority communities to study in any public/private school recognised by State Government and Union Territory Administrations having course up to class X.

Under this scheme 25 lakh scholarships will be awarded to meritorious students of minorities communities across the country.

Scholarship Allowance:

Monthly tuition fee = Rs. 350 Maintenance allowance for hosteller students of class VI onwards = Rs. 600 per month Day-Scholars = Rs. 100 per month Admission Fee for students of class VI and onwards = Rs. 500 per annum

[The duration of scholarship in an academic year is 10 months and the scholarship once awarded can be renewed in the next academic year]

The prime objective of such scholarships is to provide financial assistance to students of economically vulnerable children (in this case minority communities). Despite India’s feasible economic growth, the nation lacks much behind in the educational achievements.

As a part of an encouraging development in school education the government is trying to implement various policies that can be able to bring the high portion of nations’ out of school children, who either do not attend school or leave their study much earlier owing to various reasons, to eliminate that educational disadvantage.