Having received an overwhelming response to education vouchers for the physically challenged, the Vasundhara Raje Government is all set to introduce this scheme in the mainstream from the coming academic year. The move, first of its kind in the country, is aimed at ensuring that the most backward and underserved areas of the state get a school.

The scheme announced in the recent Budget speech by the CM would provide employment to teachers. The state Government plans to provide land and 50 per cent of the construction cost to unemployed teachers who show an interest in opening primary schools in the areas without a school.

Students at these schools — started either by unemployed teachers or private parties — would be provided vouchers that would cover their tuition and school fees.

Since the state has 3,000 panchayats that are deprived of secondary schools even today, the voucher scheme has been designed to ensure that the scenario changes, and Rs 15 crore has been allotted for the scheme.

Over 1.5 lakh secondary and higher secondary students are expected to benefit from this scheme. “There are several details which need to be chalked out. While some vouchers will wave fees, others might cover the difference between Government and private fees,” said Sudhir Bhargav, Principal Secretary, Education.

The project aims at making things easier for secondary and higher secondary students, who have to go to another village to study. However, education vouchers would also be provided for primary students who opt for going to schools opened by unemployed BEd teachers.

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