No freeships to SC/ST students despite Bombay high court order

The government has withdrawn concessions and freeships offered to students belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, making it difficult for them continue their education. Demands are now  being made that the government continue providing aid to such students.

Even though a Bombay high court and supreme court order stated that the government should continue giving freeships to students who come from an SC/ST background, schools allege the government is yet to give them proper funds. In fact, a Dharavi school, Shree Ganesh Vidya Mandir, is on the verge of closing down its primary section since it cannot keep up with expenses without government aid.

A committee appointed by the government had recommended that the government pay Rs100 to Rs350 onwards of a child’s fees from Std 1 to 10 and the rest can be paid by the parents. However, school authorities say that Rs100 is too small an amount. “If the fees are Rs500, then the government must still pay Rs400. The parents work as construction labourers or auto drivers, and cannot afford such fees,” added Yadav.