The Sikshashree Scholarship Scheme is a project initiated by the West Bengal government’s Backward Classes Welfare Department and Tribal Welfare Department for the day scholar students of Class V to VIII belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe category. The scheme aims to reduce the number of drop-outs by providing financial support to the students.
Purpose of the Scheme
The Sikshashree Scheme is aimed at ensuring equal rights to quality-based education for students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The scheme also aims to bring these backward groups back into the mainstream of society by providing them with the same quality of services as others.
Benefits of the Scheme
The benefits of the Sikshashree Scheme include:
- Annual scholarship for students of classes V to VIII in the ST and SC categories.
- An annual scholarship of Rs. 800 for SC students (classes V-VII) and Rs. 800 (class VIII).
- An annual scholarship of Rs. 800 for ST students (classes V-VIII).
- Arrangements for students to open bank accounts under this scheme.
Eligibility for the Scheme
The Sikshashree Scheme is open for people from all Scheduled Castes and Indigenous communities in West Bengal who are permanent residents of the state and have a family income less than two and a half lakhs per annum. Students studying in classes V to VIII in government/government-recognized regular schools/madrasahs or equivalent are eligible to apply.
Rate of Scholarship
The rate of scholarship for ST students per year is as follows:
| Class | For ST Students per year |
|---|---|
| V | Rs. 800/- |
| VI | Rs. 800/- |
| VII | Rs. 800/- |
| VIII | Rs. 800/- |
Application Procedure
Applications for the Sikshashree Scheme can be made to local educational institutions. Students need to submit their application form and required documents, including their ethnic certificate and certificate of family income, to the headmaster of the school. The teacher will then scrutinize the application and forward it to the District Scheme Officer, from where the scholarship money will reach the applicant’s account.
Required Documents
The following documents are required to apply for the Sikshashree Scheme:
- Ethnic certificate
- Certificate of family income
- Application form from the specific school
Contact Information
For any further information or queries, applicants can contact the following officers:
- Sudeshna Sikder. Inspector, BCW & TD
- Tapas Kr. Sengupta. Additional Inspector, BCW & TD
- Bhupal Ruidas, Dhaki.
Frequently Asked Questions on Sikshashree Scholarship Scheme
Q1. Who is eligible for the scholarship?
A: Students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and studying between Class V and Class VIII in government/government-recognized regular schools/madrasahs or equivalent are eligible to apply. The family income should be less than Rs. 2.5 lac per annum. The student should have a savings account in a nationalized bank.
Q2. How much scholarship amount is provided under the scheme?
A: Scheduled Castes students of Class V to Class VII will get a grant of Rs. 750/- per annum, while students of Class VIII will get a grant of Rs. 800/- per annum. Students belonging to Scheduled Tribes and studying from Class V to Class VIII will get a grant of Rs. 800/- per annum.
Q3. Who can apply for the scholarship?
A: Students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and studying between Class V and Class VIII in government/government-recognized regular schools/madrasahs or equivalent are eligible to apply. The family income should be less than Rs. 2.5 lac per annum. The student should have a savings account in a nationalized bank.
Q4. What are the documents required to apply for the scholarship?
A: The applicant must submit the school form along with the ethnic certificate and certificate of family income from M.P./M.L.A./Councilor/Pradhan/Member of Zilla Parisad/Chairman/Government Officer.
Q5. Who manages the Sikshashree Scholarship Scheme?
A: The Sikshashree Scholarship Scheme is managed by the Backward Classes Welfare Department and Tribal Welfare Department of the State Government of West Bengal.
Q6. How is the scholarship amount disbursed to the student?
A: The scholarship amount is disbursed to the student’s savings account in a nationalized bank after the application is approved by the concerned authorities.
Q7. Is there any age limit to apply for the scholarship?
A: There is no age limit specified for the Sikshashree Scholarship Scheme. The eligibility criteria are based on the student’s class and category.