By IANS
Ranchi : Jharkhand’s ministry of resources development (HRD) has decided to give monetary incentives to students in the government-run schools in order to curb the dropouts menace.
As per the plan, the state government will give Rs.100 per month to a boy student and Rs.150 per month to a girl student from Class I to X. A bank account will be opened in the name of the students where the money will be deposited.
The money deposited in banks cannot be withdrawn till the students attain 18 years of age and if a student drops out mid way, no money will be given to him/her, according to the proposal.
“The idea is to curb dropouts from schools. The proposed plan will soon be cleared by the state cabinet. It will lure the students to remain in schools,” said state HRD Minister Bandhu Tireky.
According to official sources, 60 percent students leave schools between Class I and X in the state, depriving education to more than 200,000 students. In Jharkhand, the literacy rate is just 54 percent against the national average of 65. Due to poverty, most children leave schools mid way.
HRD department officials said the accumulated money would prevent parents from engaging their children in menial jobs as labourers and would help the students in furthering higher studies or opening businesses.