Masuma Begum, a class 11 student of Dharapur Higher Secondary School and Kasmira Begum, a Class 10 student of Dimoria Higher Secondary School in Kamrup (Metro), have realised that hard work pays. They have good reason to feel that way having received special scholarships of ₹ 4,000 and ₹ 2,000 respectively.
“My father is a driver by profession. This scholarship from the Education Department has given us some relief. I have used the money to buy textbooks and other necessities. I am grateful to the Government for encouraging and empowering students like me”, Masuma told Asom Barta.
Kasmira is also delighted. “I am very happy to be able to buy necessary items with the money. Such schemes will encourage students to study hard,” she said.
The “Scholarship scheme for girl children from the minority community” was announced during the 2018-19 Budget session for those studying in classes 10, 11 & 12 to enable them to continue their education and be a part of the formal education system.
This scheme provides ₹ 2,000 per annum to students of religious minority communities i.e. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis in Class 10 and ₹ 4,000 per annum to students in classes 11 and 12, under Section 2(c) of the National Minorities Commission Act, respectively.
Recently, 21,661 minority community students studying in government, provincialised and private sector schools under the Government of Assam were offered special scholarships for the year 2021-22 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) process. The Department of Secondary Education, the nodal department under the scheme, disbursed ₹ 6.86 crore to beneficiaries.
Applicants can apply for the assistance through the website of the Directorate of Secondary Education www.madhyamik.assam.gov.in or by downloading the “Bidyarthi’’ mobile app from the Google Play Store.
The Directorate of Secondary Education received 22,184 applications for the year 2021-22 and after completion of the monitoring process, 21,661 beneficiaries were found eligible.
Verification of the bank accounts of the beneficiaries have been conducted by Sarba Shiksha Abhiyan, Assam.
