Ravinder Saini
Rohtak, July 12
The CHEERAG (CM Haryana Equal Education Relief, Aid and Grants) scheme, which provides free education to children from Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in private schools from classes II to XII, has received a weak response.
Only 1,470 applications have been received against 24,987 seats reserved under the CHEERAG scheme in 381 private schools across the state. This is only six per cent of the total seats. Last date to apply was 8 July. Not a single application was received in six districts – Rohtak, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Mewat, Palwal and Panchkula and less than 10 applications were received in Ambala, Jhajjar, Sirsa and Yamunanagar districts.
Sources say that at 615, Hisar received the highest number of applications followed by Jind (256) and Sonipat (177) and Bhiwani (117). Only those students are eligible to apply under this scheme launched this year, who have passed their previous class from government school. Students can take admission only in those private schools located in the block where they were studying earlier.
“Only a few schools have adopted this scheme. Some schools are far away, so parents are not inclined to send their children there,” said a school owner.
He said another reason for the weak response was that the scheme was only for government students. Sources say that before launching the scheme, all private schools were given the option to adopt it, but most of the institutions did not show interest.
Sunil Dutt, District Education Officer, Mahendragarh said: “A total of 21 private schools in the district have adopted the scheme. But, not a single application was received. The reasons are being ascertained. Neither Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gurjar nor Additional Chief Secretary (School Education) Mahavir Singh could be contacted despite repeated attempts.
No application in six districts
- Against 24,987 seats in private schools across Haryana, only 1,470 applications were received for admission
- Not a single application was received in six districts — Rohtak, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Mewat, Palwal and Panchkula
- Hisar got the maximum number of applications at 615