In an initiative aimed at advancing education and promoting the socio-economic progress of Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has introduced the 'Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas' (SHRESHTA). According to an official release from the ministry, the primary goal of this initiative is to extend the impact of government development programs and bridge service gaps in areas predominantly inhabited by SC communities within the education sector.

The overarching vision of 'SHRESHTA' is to create a conducive environment for the comprehensive development and socio-economic upliftment of SC students, thereby ensuring a brighter future for them. A fundamental strategy of the scheme revolves around facilitating collaboration between grant-in-aid institutions managed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and residential high schools offering quality education.

The implementation of this scheme unfolds through two distinct modes. Firstly, the scheme encompasses 'SHRESHTA schools,' which comprise the best CBSE/State Board-affiliated private residential schools. Under this mode, a specific number of exceptional SC students from various States and Union Territories (UTs) will be selected annually through the National Entrance Test SHRESHTA (NETS), administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

These selected students will gain admission to top private residential schools affiliated with CBSE/State Boards, where they will receive education from the 9th to the 12th standard. The selection of these schools is based on their outstanding performance, with institutions maintaining a pass rate of over 75 percent for classes 10 and 12 over the past three years being chosen by a selection committee for admitting selected students.

Approximately 3,000 SC students, whose parents' annual income falls within the 2.5 lakh limit, will be chosen each year through a national-level test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). These students will have access to a variety of school choices based on their merit. Notably, the scheme encompasses all fees for each student, encompassing both school fees (tuition fees) and hostel fees (mess charges). The specified admissible fees for each class have been detailed in the press release, with costs ranging from ₹1,00,000 for the 9th standard to ₹1,35,000 for the 12th standard.

Furthermore, the scheme incorporates a bridge course within the selected schools, designed to cater to the individual academic needs of students and aid their adjustment to the school environment. The Department will cover the cost of this bridge course, which equates to 10 percent of the annual fee, with regular monitoring of student progress undertaken by the ministry.

The second mode of implementation pertains to NGO/VO Operated Schools/Hostels (EXISTING COMPONENT). This model is specifically relevant to schools and hostels operated by voluntary organizations (VOs) and NGOs, offering education up to the 12th standard, as outlined in the official release.

Image source: ANI