The SHRESHTA program aims to promote cooperation between residential secondary schools providing quality education and grant aid institutions managed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (representative image)
The SHRESHTA program aims to bridge service delivery gaps in regions of the education sector largely populated by Scheduled Caste populations
In an effort to encourage education and promote socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in India, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the “Residential Education Scheme for Students in Secondary Schools in Target Areas” (SHRESHTA) launched. According to the official statement from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the SHRESHTA program aims to create an environment conducive to the socio-economic upliftment and holistic development of SC students, while safeguarding their future opportunities. It also aims to bridge the service delivery gaps in regions of the education sector largely populated by SC populations.
The primary objective of SHRESHTA is to expand the reach of government development initiatives and address service delivery gaps in SC-dominant areas within the education sector, the press release said.
The program aims to promote cooperation between residential secondary schools that provide high-quality education and grant aid institutions managed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The implementation of the scheme is divided into two different modes. The best CBSE/State Board affiliated private residential schools are SHRESHTA institutions. In accordance with this mode, a specific number of deserving SC students will be chosen through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS), conducted every year by the National Testing Agency (NTA), from the States and Union Territories (UTs).
The shortlisted students will then be admitted to the best private residential schools affiliated to CBSE and state boards in 9th and 11th grades, enabling them to complete their education up to 12th standard. A selection committee will be set up to choose these schools based on their exceptional performance, with a pass rate of more than 75 percent for classes 10 and 12 in the last three years.
Every year, the National Testing Agency (NTA) selects around 3,000 SC students with a combined annual income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh. Based on their merit, the students are given different school options. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the scheme covers the full tuition fees for every student, including tuition and hostel fees (meme fees).
As stated in the press release, the allowable fees for each class are specified as follows:
For class 9, the fees are Rs 1,00,000, for 10th class, the fees are Rs 1,10,000, and for classes 11th and 12th, the fees are Rs 1,25,000 and Rs 1,35,000 respectively.
The program also includes a bridge course within the shortlisted schools, which focuses on the student’s academic needs and aids in adjustment to the school environment. The cost of the bridge course is 10 percent of the annual fee, which is also paid by the department. Secondly, the NGO/VO run schools/hostels (EXISTING COMPONENT) mode applies specifically to schools and hostels run by Voluntary Organizations (VOs) and NGOs, which provide education up to class 12.