Article Title: SHRESHTA Scheme
11-10-2023
Polity & Governance Prelims Plus
Why is in news? Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas
The government has approved a new scheme named SHRESHTA (Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas) for the purpose of providing seats for the meritorious SC boys and girls in the best private residential schools in the country.
Every year, it is expected that about (3000) students would be selected for admission in Class 9 and Class 11 under the scheme.
Objective:
To enhance the reach of the development initiative of the government.
To fill the gap in service-deprived Scheduled Castes (SCs) dominant areas in the sector of education by collaborating with voluntary organizations.
To provide an environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs).
To provide access to high-quality education to bright Scheduled Caste (SC) students so that they can explore future opportunities.
Selection of schools:
Best performing CBSE based private residential schools, having more than 75% pass percentage for class 10 and 12 for last three years are selected by a Committee for admission of selected students.
Selection of students:
Approx 3000 (1500 for 9th class and 1500 for class 11th tentative) SC students, whose parents annual income is upto 2.5 lakh, are selected every year under the Scheme through a national level test conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA), choices of schools shall be offered to the students in accordance with their merit.
Total fee for the student covering the school fee (including tuition fees) and hostel fee (including mess charges) would be borne by the Department.
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