India Education & Career

Under the scheme of “Pre-matric scholarship for children of those engaged in unclean occupation,” the quantum of central assistance has been enhanced from 50% to 100% to all State Governments/UTs over and above their committed liability with effect from 1.4.08. Under the scheme of “Pre-matric scholarship for OBC students”, the proposals from State Governments/UTs are received and funds are released as per their notional allocation after examining the utilisation certificate and provision in the State budget.

Under the “Post-matric scholarship scheme for SC students” the annual income-limit of Rs. 1 lakh was fixed w.e.f. 1.4.2003. A need was felt to increase the income ceiling and scholarship rates as well as revise other norms applicable under this scheme. Accordingly, the revision of this scheme is under consideration.

Allocation for the current year (2008-09) was Rs.54.00 crore. Requirement of funds under the revised scheme for the remaining four years of XI Plan would be Rs.340 crore. The target group will get higher financial assistance, as also coverage.

The SCs continue to be bedeviled by several problems. Their population continues to grow at a higher rate than the general population. In the field of literacy, though there have been an appreciable increase in the literacy rate amongst the SCs/STs, it is still lower when compared with the general population. Most of the SCs continue to be employed in the agricultural sector as Labourers. They also constitute the majority of those engaged in unclean occupations such as scavenging, flaying etc.

The Scheduled Castes constitute a sizeable percentage of Indian population. According to the 1991 census, their population is 13.82 crores or 16.73% of our population. The scheduled castes are primarily concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Together, these states account for more than 50% of the SC population. Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal together have approximately 20% of the population belonging to the Scheduled Caste Communities.

Some notable schemes for these unprivileged students are:

# Special Educational Development Programme for SC Girls belonging to Very Low Literacy Level – This scheme provides a package of educational inputs through residential schools for SCs girls in areas of very low SC female literacy. Under the scheme grants is directly given is directly given to Zila Parishads of the concerned districts for running the school.

# Pre-Matric Scholarship to Children of those engaged in unclean Occupations – Under this scheme Central assistance is provided to the State Governments on 50:50 basis and 100% to UT Administration over and above their committed liability to financially assist the children of scavengers, sweepers having traditional link with scavenging, flayers and tanners to pursue education up to matriculation level.

# Post-Matric Scholarship to Students belonging to SCs/STs - Under this scheme, 100% Central assistance is provided to States/UTs over and above their respective committed liability. Under this scheme financial assistance is extended to SC/ST students for pursuing post matriculation courses in recognized institutions.

# National Overseas Scholarship for SC, ST Students for Higher Studies Abroad – Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to meritorious selected students for pursuing higher study abroad in specific fields of masters level courses, Ph.D. and Post Doctoral Research programme in Engineering, Technology and Science only.

# Girls and Boys Hostels for SCs – Under this scheme financial assistance is provided to the State Governments on 50:50 matching share basis(100% to UTs) for construction of hostel building for up to 100 inmates. SC Boys and Girls studying in middle schools, higher secondary schools, colleges and universities can avail of these hostel facilities.

# Book Bank for SC and ST students – This scheme is intended to provide SC/ST students access to the latest textbooks on medicine, veterinary, engineering, agriculture and polytechnic courses which require expensive books. A group of two students are provided one set of textbooks.

# Upgradation of Merit of SC/ST students – This scheme aims at upgrading the merit of SC/ST students by providing them with facilities for all round development through education in residential schools. 100% Central assistance is released to States/ UTs for arranging remedial and special coaching for SC/ST students studying in classes IX to XII.

# Coaching and Allied scheme for SC/ST student - Under this scheme, free coaching facilities are provided to SC/ST candidates through pre-examination training Centres to enable them to compete in various competitive examinations.