SHRESTHA Scheme: Your Child's Path to Top Residential Schools for FREE

SHRESHTA Scheme for SC Students: Empowering Education in West Bengal

The Directorate of School Education, West Bengal, has initiated a crucial drive to widely publicize the "Scheme of Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas" (SHRESTHA) for Scheduled Caste (SC) students.

This initiative aims to provide high-quality education to meritorious SC students by enabling their admission into some of the country's best private residential schools. This directive, issued on January 18, 2024, by the Deputy Director of School Education (Admin), West Bengal, follows a reference from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.


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What is the SHRESTHA Scheme?

Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the SHRESTHA scheme, operational from the academic year 2022-23, focuses on offering quality residential education to talented SC boys and girls. The primary objective is to bridge the educational gap and ensure access to superior learning environments for SC communities, addressing historical disadvantages. It also seeks to enhance the reach of government development interventions in education within SC-dominant areas.

Key Features of SHRESTHA

The scheme operates primarily in two modes, with "Mode 1: SHRESHTA Schools" being the focus for direct student admissions into top private residential schools.

• Student Selection: Each year, 3000 meritorious SC students are selected through a national-level entrance test called the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
• School Placement: Selected students are placed in reputable private residential schools across the country. These schools are chosen based on stringent parameters, including a minimum of five years of operation, over 75% pass rate in Class 10 and 12 over the last three years, and adequate infrastructure to accommodate additional SC students.
• Entry Points: Admissions are primarily for Class 9 and Class 11 students, with support continuing until they complete Class 12.
• Financial Support: The Ministry directly covers tuition and hostel fees, transferring funds electronically to the selected schools. Importantly, no fees or charges are levied from the beneficiary students.
• Bridge Course Provision: To help admitted SC students acclimate and catch up academically, schools can conduct bridge courses. An additional grant of up to 10% of the annual fees is provided for this purpose. These courses cover essential subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and General Studies, along with personality development.
• Web Counselling: Allocation of schools to students is done via a web counselling process, considering merit and student preferences.

Mode 2: NGO-Operated Schools

The scheme also supports existing schools and hostels run by Voluntary Organizations (VOs) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that receive grant-in-aid. These institutions must maintain high academic quality, adequate infrastructure, and state government recognition, along with affiliation to State/Central Boards. There are strict guidelines for these organizations, including registration on the NGO DARPAN portal of NITI Aayog. No new schools will be taken up under this mode.

Promoting the Scheme in West Bengal

All District Inspectors of Schools (SE) across West Bengal have been requested to circulate information about the SHRESTHA scheme among all Secondary and Higher Secondary schools under their jurisdiction. This wide publicity aims to ensure that eligible and meritorious SC students in the state are aware of and can benefit from this significant educational opportunity.

Eligibility and Application Process

While the detailed application process is typically managed through the National Testing Agency (NTA) for NETS, general eligibility for the scheme includes being a meritorious SC student. For the academic year 2024-25, the NETS examination was expected to be conducted in April 2024. Students selected through NETS are admitted to schools without further testing, and their fees are covered directly by the Ministry.

Importance of SHRESTHA for SC Students

This scheme is a vital step towards ensuring equitable access to quality education for Scheduled Caste communities. By providing financial support and access to excellent residential schools, SHRESTHA helps break down barriers that might otherwise prevent talented SC students from reaching their full potential. It offers a pathway for socio-economic upliftment and overall development, contributing to a more inclusive and educated society.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the SHRESTHA scheme? The SHRESTHA scheme, short for "Scheme of Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas," is a Central Government initiative providing quality residential education to meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) students in top private schools across India.


Who is eligible for the SHRESTHA scheme? Meritorious SC students are eligible to apply. Selection is based on their performance in the National Entrance Test for SHRESTHA (NETS), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).


Which classes can students apply for under SHRESTHA? Students can apply for admission to Class 9 and Class 11 under the SHRESTHA scheme

Are there any fees for students selected under SHRESTHA? No, students selected under the SHRESTHA scheme do not have to pay any tuition or hostel fees. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment directly covers these costs by transferring funds to the schools.


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