Destitute kids living in child care homes have reason to smile

NEW DELHI: Underpriviledged and orphaned children staying at child care institutions can now avail scholarships of up to Rs 3,000 a month by securing at least 70 per cent marks in school exams, the government today said.

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, said the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), an autonomous body under the WCD ministry, recently revised its guidelines which provide scholarships to needy children, under which they will be entitled to scholarship even for pursuing higher studies.

The guidelines were issued in May and have been circulated among all children's homes registered under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

These care homes are required to submit their nominations by August 15.

The guidelines state that "a child who is orphan or destitute and residing in a childcare institution and has done well in his school by securing at least 70 per cent marks will be entitled to scholarship."

Students from Class XI onwards are eligible for this scholarship.

Class XI and Class XII students can receive Rs 750 per month. Those pursuing a certificate course can receive Rs 1,500 per month.

Diploma students are eligible for Rs 2,000 per month. Students enrolled in graduation and post-graduation courses can get Rs 2,500 and those in professional courses will get Rs 3,000.

Scholarships will be given under the National Children's Fund (NCF).

A student can continue to benefit from the programme even after leaving the child care institution, provided he had enrolled for the scholarship while he was at the institution.

The NCF also plans to develop an online portal for receiving nominations and disbursing scholarships.