Tribal kids to get free English-medium education in new Chhattisgarh scheme 

In an ambitious scheme, 125 children belonging to the most poverty-stricken and backward tribal communities of two districts of Chhattisgarh have been enrolled for free education in prominent schools in Raipur starting this academic year. As many as 35 private English-medium schools have already come forward to 'adopt' five children each every year under the scheme, named 'Udan' (flight), and will provide free education as well as food and accommodation to students belonging to the Kamar, Bhunjia and Baiga tribes from the remote forest areas of Raipur and Kawardha districts. The beneficiaries were selected on the basis of their performance in screening tests organised by the schools in the tribal areas of Gariaband, Mainpur, Chhura and Devbhog in Raipur district and in Kawardha. Children studying in Classes I to VIII were eligible to compete for the opportunity.   

Claiming that 'Udan' was the only scheme of its kind, Raipur district collector Sonmani Bora, who is coordinating the implementation of the project, asserted that parents are “enthusiastic that they can send their children to schools in the state capital”. He also said a tripartite agreement would be signed between the district administration, the school management committee and the institution adopting the child to ensure that each student would continue to receive similar facilities till the completion of their schooling. In addition, said Bora, a proposal has been forwarded to the state Government to provide funds for other children from these backward communities so that no child was deprived of the opportunity to pursue a higher standard of education. Talking about the source of funds, he said a separate corpus would be created with a share from the district administration's brisk scheme, the Kamar and Bhunjia development authority and contributions from the public. Bora said a proposal was also being sent to the Human Resource Development Ministry, requesting it to earmark at least five per cent seats in Chhattisgarh’s Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas for children belonging to these "most backward" tribal communities.

(Source: The Indian Express, June 21, 2008)