Scholarship rule irks parents, teachers

BHUBANESWAR: Private Odia-medium schools in the city have alleged the state government has deprived their students of a chane to apply for the Pathani Samanta Mathematics Talent Scholarship this year.
According to a new rule, private schools cannot participate in the talent search test unless they procure a no objection certificate from the school and mass education department.
"This is unfair as hundreds of meritorious students of private Odia-medium schools across the state are being deprived of a chance to prove their talent. Last year, several students from these schools got the scholarship," said Basant Behera, a teacher of a private school in the city.
The private Odia-medium schools have urged the school and mass education department to include them in the scholarship programme. The scholarship is given to students from Class VI to Class XII. The selected students get special coaching in mathematics during summer, winter and puja vacations.
Deputy director of elementary education Saudamini Das said, "There is no provision to give scholarship to students from non-government schools. Only students from government, government-aided and government recognized schools can participate in the programme. If students from private schools got selected for the scholarship last year, it was probably a mistake by our staff."
According to sources, there are around 120 schools in the city which are run on the basis of temporary recognition by the school and mass education department given for three years. Parents and teachers of these schools have threatened to go on a strike if their children are not allowed to take the test.