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On Tuesday, Lok Sabha was informed that enrollment in government schools from classes 1 to 8 has boosted over the last three years.

Virendra Kumar, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, said from 2022-23, the pre-matric scholarship scheme is available only for students in Classes 9 and 10.

In a written response in the parliament, he said that enrolment of classes 1 to 8 in government-aided schools has grown by about one crore in the previous three years.

“From 2021-2022, it has been decided to deliver scholarships to students only from classes 9 and 10 in accordance with the Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme for OBCs. Under the scheme of Pre-Matric scholarships to Scheduled Castes and others, Pre-Matric scholarship is being offered only to class 9 and 10 students since the introduction of the scheme in 2012-13,” the Minister said.

He added that to incentivise children from unprivileged communities to attend school, the government schools are delivering free education, uniform, meal, etc., under programs like Samagrha Shiksha Abhiyan, PM Poshan, etc.

Kumar also said that before, Economically Weaker sections (EWC) did not get Pre-Matric scholarships, but in the modified scheme, they are also being considered for Pre-Matric scholarships for classes 9 and 10.

The Minister stated that under the Right to Education Act 2009, the Government is committed to delivering free of cost and compulsory elementary education (Classes 1 to 8) to each child.

News Source: The Indian Express