BACKGROUNDER
One of the ways
to empower the disabled is to ensure the full blooming of their
capabilities so that they can participate as equal and productive
citizens in the development of society. Imparting of higher
and technical education is among the most important factors
to achieve excellence. This will not only benefit the society
at large but also help the persons with disabilities in leading
socially and economically a richer life.
There are about
10 million children with disabilities in the country according
to National Sample Survey Organisation Report, 1991. These children
are reportedly considered less productive by their own families
and communities and thus get marginalised. Various studies have
indicated that only 10-15 per cent children are able to access
any kind of education. Most of them end their education at primary
or secondary level or go for traditional vocational skills.
In case of girl children, the situation is much more grim.
Existing
Programmes
The children with
disabilities often require special learning aids and financial
support besides encouragement from family and community to get
proper education. Several states and union territories have
scholarship schemes and programmes for facilitating financial
support to students with disabilities. According to the annual
report published by the Chief Commissioner of Disabilities,
Government of India, there are 32 states and union territories
which provide some sort of scholarship/stipend to students with
disabilities. Majority of these states provide scholarship for
education upto primary/middle class level. The stipend for primary
education varies from Rs.5/- per month in Pondicherry to Rs.200/-
per month in Punjab. Only Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Daman &
Diu provide scholarship to students with disabilities for pursuing
education at the college level. In Andhra Pradesh alone financial
assistance is provided to disabled research scholars.
National
Scholarship Scheme
The Ministry of
Social Justice & Empowerment has, in response to one of
the initiatives announced by the Prime Minister on the Independence
Day last year, started the Scheme of National Scholarship for
Persons with Disabilities from the current financial year. The
objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to
students with disabilities for pursuing higher and technical
education.
To begin with 500
scholarships have been made available under the scheme. Out
of these 116 scholarships each have been earmarked for students
suffering with orthopaedic, visual and hearing disabilities
respectively. 152 scholarships will be given to students with
low vision, cerebral palsy and other disabilities not covered
above.
The Minister for
Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya will
give away Scholarships to over 180 students with disabilities
at a function in New Delhi on February 13, 2003.
The amount of award
will vary among courses and will also depend on availability
of hostel/residential facility in the institution. The rate
of scholarship for pursuing Ph.D/M.Phil and post-graduate level
courses would be Rs.1000 per month in case of hostlers and Rs.700/-
in case of day scholars. Similar rate of scholarship would be
provided to students pursuing graduate level courses in engineering,
Indian and other systems of medicine, agriculture, veterinary,
information technology, bio-technology, education management,
architecture, physiotherapy, music and other professional courses.
In case of diploma and certificate level professional courses,
the rate of scholarship would be Rs.700/- per month for hostlers
and Rs.400/- for day scholars. The awardees will also be reimbursed
the course fees upto Rs.10,000/- per year. They will also be
supported with financial assistance for acquiring special aids
and appliances for pursuing their studies. These would include
purchase of a computer with editing software for blind and deaf
graduate and post-graduate students pursuing professional courses
and purchase of support access software for cerebral palsied
students.
Eligibility
The scholarship
will be awarded for one course to one student. The course has
to be post-matric/post secondary being pursued in a recognised
institution. Continuation/renewal of the award for next year
will depend on successfully completing the course in the preceding
year with minimum 50 per cent marks. The monthly family income
of the beneficiary should not be more than 15 thousand per month
from all sources for availing financial assistance under the
scheme. The assistance will not be available to courses for
less than one year duration.
Implementation
of Schemes :
The National Fund
for People with Disability would implement the scheme. The applications
for award of scholarships will have to be made to the Secretary
of the National Fund in the Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment for which the Ministry will issue advertisements
every year in the month of May.
