ANWESHA-Providing quality education to ST & SC students in partnership with Urban Educational Institutions

As a step towards fulfilment of hopes and aspirations of the parents of ST & SC communities to get their children educated in Public Schools of Urban areas a scheme for providing quality education for ST & SC students in partnership with Urban Educational Institutions (private, aided and other central government managed schools) located in urban centres/ District Headquarters has been launched from the year 2015-16. ).

The programme is currently being implemented in 17 districts viz. Angul, Bargarh, Bolangir, Deogarh, Ganjam, Gajapati Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbanj, Nowrangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur & Sundergarh.



In the current academic session 2015-16, 2684 ST/SC students have been enrolled under the scheme. The Private Schools provide admission to ST/SC children beyond the 25% reserved category under RtE Act. A District Level Committee under the Chairmanship of the Collector has been formed to implement the scheme. Schools were selected & empanelled by the District Level Committee based on basic criteria like recognition of school, availability of infrastructure, qualified teachers, PTR, academic performance etc. Following negotiation, a partnership was signed considering the willingness of the Schools to participate under the scheme. Schools entered into a MoU with the Govt wherein the roles and responsibilities of both the parties were specified.

All expenses towards the education of ST/SC children from Std I to XII in the Private/ Aided/ Govt. Schools will be borne by the State Government. This includes providing hostel facilities for the ST & SC students, providing scholarships to meet the boarding expenses & also towards school fees, books, uniform, school bus and other miscellaneous charges of the schools.