SHIKSHAN SCHEME INVOKES A VERY POOR RESPONSE

PANJIM: For the second year running, the Shikshan Scheme, of the state government to promote higher education amongst girls from the Dhangar community, has evoked poor response as just 16 applications were received by the Department of Social Welfare.

Highly placed sources in the department requesting anonymity informed that like the last year this year too the department received just 16 applications.

The official informed that the department had sent the application forms to all the higher secondary schools at the start of the new academic year in the talukas of Sanguem, Quepem, Pernem, Bicholim and Canacona where there is a strong presence of the Dhangar community.

He however said that despite all efforts to create awareness, only 16 applications were received by the department.

He further said the department had made a provision of Rs 8 lakh for the scheme in the financial year of 2010-11, however, only 50 per cent of the amount was allocated for the scheme. The state government had also provided Rs 1 crore under supplementary demands for grant for the year 2009-10 for the welfare of the community

He said the state government has formulated the scheme for the welfare of girl students of the Dhangar community, who have passed SSC and take admission in the 11th standard of any stream be it arts science, commerce, vocational, ITI, polytechnic or diploma courses.

He said an amount of Rs 25,000 is provided by way of a fixed deposit in the name of the girl student and the Directorate of Social Welfare. The amount along with the interest is given only when the girl student passes the XII standard examination or equivalent

He said that the drop out rate among the girls from the community is particularly high and the financial assistance acts as an incentive to prevent the dropping out.

The official informed that in case the student drops out or fails the examination, the amount is forfeited in the favour of the state government. However, if the beneficiary informs the department that she is re-answering the examination, the money is kept under the fixed deposit till the next academic year or till she passes in the allocated attempts.