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Assam first state to offer completely free higher education to EWS students
The newly elected Assam state government has announced its first major initiative; free higher education to all students whose parents earn less than ₹ 1 lakh a year. Upon submitting necessary documents students can avail of these benefits.
Still in the celebratory mood after their overwhelming victory in the assembly elections, the Assam government on Saturday announced completely free education for children whose parents earn less than ₹1 lakh p.a. in higher studies in government colleges, higher secondary schools and diploma polytechnic institutions from this year onwards.
According to state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Assam has become first state in the country to give free higher education. "Free education is offered by several states in primary and secondary level but as far as I know, we have become the first to give this in higher secondary and above level."
"This benefit will be rolled out immediately with the first batch of new admissions this year and will continue in the next coming years. The students do not have to pay a single penny as admission fee or as tuition fee or any other fee like sports, library or sports etc." Sarma said.
With this initiative, the state government is aiming to reach out to 52,000 to 60,000 students who will be taking admissions in higher secondary first year in colleges, class XI in higher secondary schools and first year diploma courses in polytechnic institutes.
"The state government will reimburse the educational institutes the loss they incur while admitting such students within 2 months after they submit the statements to directorate of higher education," Sarma said. He added that for the first year the state is anticipating an additional expenditure of Rs 70 Crore, which will increase in the subsequent years.
Students availing of the benefit under this initiative can do so by submitting salary certificates or salary slips of their parents or certificates from circle officers for parents who don’t have any source of income. Sarma said even if a student is unable to provide any of these documents, the principals or the admission committees of the institutes are empowered to grant them the benefit using their discretion.
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