SHRESHTA Scheme

In a significant move to enhance the quality of education for school students in India, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has introduced the ‘Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas’ (SHRESHTA). This program is designed to provide high-quality education to students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and expand the reach of development initiatives within SC-dominant areas in the education sector.

Two Modes of Implementation

The SHRESHTA program will be operated through two distinct modes to cater to the educational needs of SC students.

Schooling under CBSE/State Board Affiliated Private Residential Schools

In this mode, meritorious SC students will have the opportunity to gain admission to select private schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and State Boards. To identify eligible candidates, the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Successful candidates will be admitted to private residential schools in the 9th and 11th grades, allowing them to complete their education up to the 12th standard.

Eligibility Criteria

Around 3000 SC students with parents’ annual income up to 2.5 lakh will be selected annually based on their merit.

Admission in NGO Operated Schools

In this mode, schools and hostels operated by voluntary organizations (VOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will offer education up to the 12th grade. These schools and hostels, receiving grant-in-aid and demonstrating satisfactory performance, will continue to provide education under the SHRESHTA program.

Benefits of the Scheme

Students admitted under this scheme will have their entire fee waived off, including school fees (tuition fees) and hostel fees (mess charges). The admissible fees for each class are as follows: 9th: ₹1,00,000, 10th: ₹1,10,000, 11th: ₹1,25,000, 12th: ₹1,35,000.

Additionally, students can take advantage of a bridge course within the selected schools, which addresses their individual academic needs and aids in their adjustment to the school environment. The cost of the bridge course, equivalent to 10% of the annual fee, is also covered under the scheme. The Ministry of Education will closely monitor the progress of students benefiting from this scheme.

Aiming for Quality Education Access

The SHRESHTA program is a commendable initiative aimed at ensuring that students from the Scheduled Castes receive high-quality education without the burden of fees. By offering two modes of implementation, the program seeks to cater to a broader range of students and improve their access to quality education.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2023