The Ministry of Social Justice is taking steps to ensure free education to children from the Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Castes. They will ensure that students from these communities are provided with adequate training to appear for competitive examinations.
A Step to a Brighter Future
Twenty-eight schools that provide quality education to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Castes (OBC) have been identified by the Ministry of Social Justice. The selection processes for these institutes were conducted on the basis of recommendations by states and union territories. The selection process was headed by the Special Secretary of the Ministry of Social justice along with other committee members. This was done as a result of the revision of guidelines of the Scheme of Free Coaching for SC and OBC in June this year.
The ministry has also decided to fund the coaching of backward class students for competitive examinations under the revised scheme. Initially the funding provided to each student was twenty thousand rupees or less, but now the entire cost will be incurred by the ministry.
Earlier, applicants from institutions that provide coaching for competitive examinations would be invited by the ministry. The applications submitted by these individuals would then be screened and shortlisted by a committee.
The ministry believed that this scheme needed to be revised to provide students from backward societies an equal opportunity to succeed in their lives and provide their families with a better future.
This revised scheme will only be applicable to students who have an annual family income of six lakhs or less from all sources.
Examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will be included in the curriculum. Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Officers Grade examinations organised by banks, insurance companies and public sector undertakings. Students will also be trained to appear for premier entrance examinations such as, IIT-JEE and AIEEE, CAT, CLAT, SAT, GRE and TOEFL.
These institutes will be reviewed in their third year based on the performances of the students.
This move will encourage parents to send their children to school which will secure their tomorrow.