<p>A notification by the union government stopping the pre-matric scholarship for grades 1 to 8 belonging to SC, ST, OBC and minority communities has irked academics. </p>.<p>"The Right to Education (RTE) Act makes it obligatory for the government to provide free and compulsory elementary education (classes 1 to 8) to each and every child. Accordingly, only students studying in classes 9 and 10 are covered under the pre-matric scholarship scheme of the ministry of social justice and empowerment and ministry of tribal affairs," the union government said in a notice.</p>.<p>It said, "From 2022-23, the coverage under the pre-matric scholarship scheme of the ministry of minority affairs shall also be for classes 9 and 10 only."</p>.<p>Accordingly, nodal officers at district level have been asked to scrutinise applications only for classes 9 and 10 under the pre-matric scholarship of the ministry of minority affairs.</p>.<p>Under the scheme, day scholars used to get Rs 225 per month and residential students Rs 525 per month over a period of 10 months.</p>.<p>Those with a family income below Rs 2.5 lakh per annum and studying at a government-run or government-recognised institution were eligible.</p>.<p>In a statement, senior academician V P Niranjanaradhya said: "The decision of the ministries of social justice, tribal affairs and minority affairs to restrict pre-matric scholarship only for children studying in class 9 and 10 is an unfortunate move."</p>.<p>He said, "This implies that children studying in class 1 to 8 are not eligible for pre-matric scholarship. In fact, free uniform, textbooks, cycle, shoes, socks and pre-matric scholarship are incentives for poor children coming from SC/ST/OBC and minority communities to attend school and encourage enrolment, attendance and completion of elementary education."</p>.<p>He cautioned that the move would result in children dropping out.</p>
<p>A notification by the union government stopping the pre-matric scholarship for grades 1 to 8 belonging to SC, ST, OBC and minority communities has irked academics. </p>.<p>"The Right to Education (RTE) Act makes it obligatory for the government to provide free and compulsory elementary education (classes 1 to 8) to each and every child. Accordingly, only students studying in classes 9 and 10 are covered under the pre-matric scholarship scheme of the ministry of social justice and empowerment and ministry of tribal affairs," the union government said in a notice.</p>.<p>It said, "From 2022-23, the coverage under the pre-matric scholarship scheme of the ministry of minority affairs shall also be for classes 9 and 10 only."</p>.<p>Accordingly, nodal officers at district level have been asked to scrutinise applications only for classes 9 and 10 under the pre-matric scholarship of the ministry of minority affairs.</p>.<p>Under the scheme, day scholars used to get Rs 225 per month and residential students Rs 525 per month over a period of 10 months.</p>.<p>Those with a family income below Rs 2.5 lakh per annum and studying at a government-run or government-recognised institution were eligible.</p>.<p>In a statement, senior academician V P Niranjanaradhya said: "The decision of the ministries of social justice, tribal affairs and minority affairs to restrict pre-matric scholarship only for children studying in class 9 and 10 is an unfortunate move."</p>.<p>He said, "This implies that children studying in class 1 to 8 are not eligible for pre-matric scholarship. In fact, free uniform, textbooks, cycle, shoes, socks and pre-matric scholarship are incentives for poor children coming from SC/ST/OBC and minority communities to attend school and encourage enrolment, attendance and completion of elementary education."</p>.<p>He cautioned that the move would result in children dropping out.</p>