Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme

In News

• The Union Government has stopped pre-matric scholarships for students from classes 1 to 8 belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Communities (OBC), and minority communities from the academic year 2022-23.

The rationale behind the move 

• The government explained that these students are covered under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which makes it obligatory for the government to provide free and compulsory elementary education (classes 1 to 8) to each and every child. 
  • Only students in classes 9 and 10 are now covered under the pre-metric scholarship scheme,” the government has said.

About the Scheme 

• Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes & Others is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through State Governments and UT administrations. 
• The Scheme is available for students pursuing studies in India only and will be awarded by the Government of the State/Union Territory to which the applicant belongs i.e. where he is domiciled.
• The Scheme is implemented through State Governments/U.T. Administrations
• Signifance
  •  The scheme will form the foundation for their educational attainment and provide a level playing field in the competitive employment arena.
  • Empowerment through education, which is one of the objectives of this scheme, has the potential to lead to the upliftment of the socio-economic conditions of minority communities. 

Source:IE