The Sharadabai Pawar Scholarship Scheme, awarding SSC students of PMC schools who score more than 85 per cent, had set aside only R25.5 lakh in this year’s budget, almost R15 lakh short of actual requirement
In the 28 PMC high schools of the city, the number of SSC students scoring above 85 per cent has increased to 73, from 45 last year. These meritorious students are now eligible for the R51,000 scholarship, under the scheme started by the civic body in 2012.
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Standing committee chairman, Bapu Karne said that he will take a review of the development work and decide where the funds can be transferred to ensure all 73 students receive their scholarship. File Pic
Almost a month has passed since the SSC results were declared, but the corporation has not handed out the money yet. mid-day found out that while the required funds is R37.23 lakh, the PMC had set aside only R25.5 lakh in this year’s budget. The administration is still trying to get approvals for the additional funds, and it seems that the students would not receive money before their junior college starts on July 15.
The PMC’s education department (secondary) had started the Sharadabai Pawar Scholarship Scheme, after NCP chief, Sharad Pawar’s mother. The aim of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students in civic schools. However, even last year the implementation was delayed, and students received their cheques by January 2014, seven months after the results were declared.
“We are still in the process of compiling names of students eligible for scholarship under the scheme from the respective school principals. I will send the proposal to PMC next week,” said Meenakshi Raut, PMC education officer (secondary), adding, “The budgetary allocation for this scheme was R22.5 lakh, which was fixed based on last year’s 45-student figure. However, this year the number jumped to 73, and the standing committee now has to arrange for additional funds.”
When mid-day contacted the standing committee chairman, Bapu Karne, he said, “We’ll see how we can arrange for the additional R15 lakh to implement the scheme this year. We will take a review of the development work and decide where the funds can be transferred to ensure all 73 students receive their scholarship.”
Meanwhile, the Std XI’s centralised admission procedure (CAP) is almost complete and junior colleges are set to start on July 15. So, if any of the families of the 73 students were waiting for the civic body’s scholarship money, it will be better for them to make alternate arrangements for the fees of their kids.
“Last year the scheme was delayed as well. If the PMC really wants to help all these meritorious students, then they should distribute the money on time. The assembly elections are only a couple of months away. Therefore, the standing committee has to approve the additional funds on urgent basis, so that its implementation does not get stuck before the code of conduct is imposed,” said an official, on the condition of anonymity.
From Karmveer Bhaurao Patil Vidyaniketan School, as many as eight students have scored above 85 per cent marks in SSC exams this year. “It would help the students and their families if they receive their cheques as early as possible, to decide which course they want to pursue. I have already sent names and academic records of these students to the corporation’s education department,” informed Veer Kesu, principal of the school.
Achieving success despite all odds
“Many students took inspiration from last year’s batch after we had called all 2,500 students of Std X in the prize distribution ceremony, where the 45 students got their scholarship. On the other side, the teachers also worked hard to make sure their schools achieve good results,” said Raut.
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