According to the statistics of the state government, most of the students of the government schools in Haryana are not utilizing the recently introduced Chief Minister Equal Education Relief, Assistance and Grant (Cheerag). According to the scheme, economically weaker section (EWS) students have an option to get free education in Haryana’s “budget” private schools – mostly in villages or small towns.
Under the scheme 381 private schools of the state had allocated 4,987 seats for EWS students of government schools for which the state will reimburse their fee of Rs 700/1,100 per student. However, only 1,665 students have chosen to make use of the scheme in this academic year which is almost 6.6% of the total allocated seats.
Students whose parents have annual verified income of less than Rs 1.8 lakh can take admission in private schools from Class II to XII under the Cheerag scheme. However, according to a government official, “The students in government schools get almost free education apart from school dress, syllabus books, mid-day meal and scholarships for certain categories. So, students keep all these factors in mind before opting for the private schools in the neighbourhood.”
