Latest news with #SHRESHTA
India Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
SHRESHTA schools demand illegal fees from students, says Social Justice Ministry
The Social Justice Ministry has flagged multiple SHRESHTA schools for charging SC students illegal deposits, violating the scheme's rules that promise free residential education. Image by canva (Representational) The Social Justice Ministry has found that numerous schools operating under its SHRESHTA program, which was created to give Scheduled Caste students access to high school education, are requesting "deposits" from parents and students under a variety of guises, which is against the program's rules, which were intended to give beneficiaries access to high-quality free education. The Social Justice Ministry issued a letter to the schools on Monday, stating: 'Regrettably, we have received numerous complaints from students and parents regarding schools demanding deposits under various pretexts such as admission fees, uniforms, books, medical expenses, security deposits, picnic fees and stationery costs.' SC students in the target areas are to receive residential high school education through the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA), the Hindu reported on Monday. The programme reportedly has two modes: one that allows private residential schools to join, and the other that permits residential schools run by NGOs and voluntary organisations. The official statement further warned that no fees should not be charged from SHRESHTHA students. "Failure to comply will result in strict actions being taken against the school through the CBSE, ' it reportedly added. As per data released by the Ministry of Social Justice, the SHRESHTA scheme benefits approximately 15,000 Scheduled Caste (SC) students through both of its operational modes. Of these, more than 5,000 students are currently enrolled in private residential schools under Mode-1 of the scheme.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt warns SHRESHTA schools against charging fees from SC students
The Centre has warned schools participating in its flagship SHRESHTA scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students against charging for admission, uniforms, books and other expenses in violation of guidelines. The warning was issued after several reports of schools demanding money under various heads such as security deposits, picnic fees, medical costs, books, uniforms and stationery. In an official communication dated July 7, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reminded all participating residential schools that under the SHRESHTA (Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas) programme, no fees or additional charges are to be levied on SC students admitted in class 9 and 11. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When the Camera Clicked at the Worst Possible Time Read More Undo All educational and boarding expenses are to be reimbursed by the government directly to the schools, based on actual costs or a prescribed limit, whichever is lower, the ministry said in the letter. "Under no circumstances should any fee or additional charges be levied on the beneficiary by SHRESHTA schools ," Under Secretary Rakesh Kumar said, adding the scheme's goal is to provide high-quality, fully-funded education to SC students in top-performing residential schools. Live Events Despite this, the ministry said it had received several reports of schools demanding money under various heads such as security deposits, picnic fees, medical costs, books, uniforms and stationery. The letter noted such practices were in clear violation of rules and warned that "strict action" would be taken against defaulting institutions through the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The ministry urged all schools to comply fully and ensure a smooth implementation of the scheme. "Your immediate attention and compliance with the scheme guideline are appreciated to ensure equal educational opportunities to SC students," the letter read. SHRESHTA is a targeted initiative by the government to bridge the gap in access to quality education for SC students by placing them in reputed private residential schools through a national entrance test (NETS) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Once admitted, these students are funded until class 12 and may benefit from post-matric and top-class scholarship schemes. For the 2025-26 academic year, 3,000 fresh seats are available across class 9 and 11. Schools meeting quality benchmarks, including consistent academic performance and adequate infrastructure, were asked to confirm their consent to join the programme by March 10 this year. The scheme also provides additional support such as bridge courses to help students transition smoothly and covers tuition, hostel, and mess fees. The ministry said schools failing to comply with the terms risk not only financial penalties but also blacklisting. The SHRESHTA scheme is central to the government's efforts to dismantle structural barriers in education, the government said while calling on schools to uphold the spirit of inclusion and equity.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt warns SHRESHTA schools against charging fees from SC students
New Delhi, The Centre has warned schools participating in its flagship SHRESHTA scheme for Scheduled Caste students against charging for admission, uniforms, books and other expenses in violation of guidelines. Govt warns SHRESHTA schools against charging fees from SC students The warning was issued after several reports of schools demanding money under various heads such as security deposits, picnic fees, medical costs, books, uniforms and stationery. In an official communication dated July 7, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reminded all participating residential schools that under the SHRESHTA programme, no fees or additional charges are to be levied on SC students admitted in class 9 and 11. All educational and boarding expenses are to be reimbursed by the government directly to the schools, based on actual costs or a prescribed limit, whichever is lower, the ministry said in the letter. "Under no circumstances should any fee or additional charges be levied on the beneficiary by SHRESHTA schools," Under Secretary Rakesh Kumar said, adding the scheme's goal is to provide high-quality, fully-funded education to SC students in top-performing residential schools. Despite this, the ministry said it had received several reports of schools demanding money under various heads such as security deposits, picnic fees, medical costs, books, uniforms and stationery. The letter noted such practices were in clear violation of rules and warned that "strict action" would be taken against defaulting institutions through the Central Board of Secondary Education . The ministry urged all schools to comply fully and ensure a smooth implementation of the scheme. "Your immediate attention and compliance with the scheme guideline are appreciated to ensure equal educational opportunities to SC students," the letter read. SHRESHTA is a targeted initiative by the government to bridge the gap in access to quality education for SC students by placing them in reputed private residential schools through a national entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency . Once admitted, these students are funded until class 12 and may benefit from post-matric and top-class scholarship schemes. For the 2025-26 academic year, 3,000 fresh seats are available across class 9 and 11. Schools meeting quality benchmarks, including consistent academic performance and adequate infrastructure, were asked to confirm their consent to join the programme by March 10 this year. The scheme also provides additional support such as bridge courses to help students transition smoothly and covers tuition, hostel, and mess fees. The ministry said schools failing to comply with the terms risk not only financial penalties but also blacklisting. The SHRESHTA scheme is central to the government's efforts to dismantle structural barriers in education, the government said while calling on schools to uphold the spirit of inclusion and equity. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Schools under govt.'s free residential schooling for SC students charging fees under various pretexts
The Social Justice Ministry has found that many schools under its SHRESHTA scheme meant to provide high school education to Scheduled Caste students are demanding 'deposits' from students and parents under various pretexts in contravention of the scheme's guidelines, which were designed to provide quality free education to beneficiaries. The Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) is meant to provide residential high school education to SC students in the target areas. Under the scheme, there are two modes — one provides for private residential schools to become part of it, and another allows for NGO-run and voluntary organisation-run residential schools. Once selected, the schools provide residential schooling facilities to the prescribed number of SC students, following which the funds spent under this scheme by the respective schools are re-imbursed by the government. According to public reporting by the Ministry of Social Justice, the SHRESHTA scheme serves about 15,000 SC students, including both modes under the scheme. Out of this, over 5,000 students are studying with various private residential schools under Mode-1 mentioned above. In a letter to the schools on Monday (July 7, 2025), the Social Justice Ministry said, 'Regrettably, we have received numerous complaints from students and parents regarding schools demanding deposits under various pretexts such as admission fees, uniforms, books, medical expenses, security deposits, picnic fees and stationery costs.' The Ministry of Social Justice's SC Division went on to say that all schools that have consented to be part of the scheme must adhere to the guidelines strictly, adding, 'No fees of any kind should be charged from SHRESHTA students. Failure to comply will result in strict actions being taken against the school through the CBSE.' It noted that these conditions had been specified early on when seeking participation from the schools and that 'under no circumstance' should the schools charge the students or their families.
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Telangana student writes to PM Modi, seeks SHRESHTA scheme expansion
KARIMNAGAR: A ninth-standard student, Budida Durga Sri, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting an expansion of the SHRESHTA (Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas) programme in Telangana and assistance in securing admission to the International School of Hyderabad. Durga Sri is currently studying at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Choppadandi mandal. She expressed concern that many talented students are unable to access reputed schools due to limited SHRESHTA coverage in states like Telangana. 'SHRESHTA aims to provide quality education to deserving students, and I appreciate the opportunities it offers. Commenced in 2022, it has created valuable opportunities for many SC students like me,' she stated. Hailing from a modest background in Nagaram village, Manthani Mandal, Peddapalli District, Telangana, Durga Sri secured an All India Rank of 148 in the SHRESHTA entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the 2025–26 academic year. However, she stated that only two CRPF schools in Telangana are currently covered under the SHRESHTA scheme. 'Though there are many reputed schools in the state, I am unable to study in them because they are not included in the list,' she said.
