Organisation : Punjab Department of School Education
Scheme Name : Upgradation of Merit to SC Students
Applicable For : Scheduled Caste Students
Applicable State : Punjab
Website : http://ssapunjab.org/scholarships/prematric.html
Scheme Guidelines : https://www.scholarships.net.in/uploads/15481-Students.pdf
Upgradation of Merit to SC Students :
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students.
Related / Similar Scholarship : SSA Punjab Post Matric Scholarship
Scope :
** The SC students, because of their educational deficiencies, are unable to take advantage of the various avenues, which have become available through reservation of seats.
** Consequently, the quota reserved for them in technical and professional courses like Engineering and Medical, remain under utilized.
** Some students, who are able to get admission in these courses with relaxed eligibility conditions, often find it difficult to either complete the course or take more than the specified time for completion of the instructional programme.
** Their inadequate educational preparation also prevents their employment in occupations where entry is on the basis of competitive examinations.
Description of the Scheme and its Objectives :
The Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of SC students provides for 100% Central Assistance to States/UTs for arranging remedial and special coaching for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes students studying in class IX to XII.
While remedial coaching aims at removing deficiencies in school subjects, special coaching is provided with a view to prepare students for competitive examinations for entry into professional courses like Engineering and Medical.
The main objective of the scheme is to upgrade the merit of Scheduled Caste students by providing them with facilities for all round development through education in residential/non-residential schools. There will be no bar for any student to avail coaching for both the purposes (viz. Remedial and special).
It is proposed to be done by:
** Removing their educational deficiencies.
** Facilitating their entry into professional courses by upgrading their merit so that they can compete with other students for admission to higher education courses and for senior administrative and technical occupations.
** Generating self-confidence and self reliance in them.
The States will pay adequate attention to maintenance of hostel buildings and other infrastructural facilities.
Selection of Schools & students:
Admission and selection process will be left to the discretion of the concerned State Govts. who will ensure total transparency and fairness both in the identification of coaching institutions and beneficiary students.
Preference to Girls Students and Handicapped Students:
Allocated awards may be used by States for boys & girl students in the ratio of 50:50. However, unutilized awards by girls may be used by boys and vice-versa. Target should also be fixed to include at least 3% disabled SC students wherever possible.
Mode of Disbursal of Scholarship:
In order to ensure timely and correct payment of scholarship amount to the beneficiaries, State Governments/UT administrations should ensure payment of scholarship through their accounts in banks through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as prescribed by the Govt. of India. All State Govts/UT Administrations will implement a computerized management system of scholarships, including ‘e-payment’ system.
Procedure For Claiming & Release Of Central Assistance (CA) :
CA will be released to the States/UTs, for meeting the 100% expenditure under the Scheme.
The disbursement would be done in one of the following manner:
States/UTs, would forward the digitised list of beneficiaries, as prescribed by the Central Govt., for claiming the Scholarship amount, to the extent of due Central Assistance.
After the Ministry receives such list, duly authenticated by the nominated officer of the respective State/UT, it would directly transfer the Scholarship amount in the Bank A/cs of the payees or disburse the CA to the States/ UTs for making payments in the Bank a/c of the payees upto the extent of due CA.
The information of such transfer having been made would be forwarded to the States/UTs. The detailed modalities and the timelines in this regard would be decided in consultation with the States/UTs.