Bhubaneswar: Anwesha, an urban education programme of Odisha Government, has become a game changer for ST and SC students by adding quality of life and opportunities to nurture their inherent talent. The residential schools run by ST, SC Development Minorities and Backward Welfare Department have ensured quality education in English medium to ST and SC students from remote rural areas.
Helping the tribal kids to join the path of competitiveness and excellence, Anwesha is currently operational in 17 districts and has enrolled 22,340 students in 163 schools and 98 hostels so far. This flagship venture, since its inception in 2015-16, has been helping poor parents to realise their dreams of providing quality education to their kids in public schools.
Operational in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Bolangir, Bargarh, Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Deogarh and Angul districts, Anwesha covers 8,825 ST boys, 7,884 ST girls, 2,901 SC boys and 2,730 SC girls.
Originating from a pilot project “Creation of Urban Hostel Complexes and Exemption of Tuition Fees for ST, SC students to study in public schools”, 220 students were studying in Class-I to IX under the scheme in the very first year in 2 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) of Berhampur in Ganjam.
Initially launched for five years (FY 2015-16 to 2019-20), it was further extended by five years (2020-25) with a cost of Rs.569.90 crore. Selected through a lottery system, the ST & SC students are taken with a ratio of 70:30 and boys and girls were in equal proportion, only from BPL households.
For Anwesha hostels, the Department has introduced subject teachers in Mathematics, English, and Science, in addition to the existing set of tutors. From study materials to health and well-being, the children staying in the hostels are looked after well. A wellness grant of Rs.200 per child per month is also helping the grown-up girls, sources said.
Narendra Minz, father of Sourav Minz said, “My son has been staying at “Anwesha” hostel in Urban Education Complex, Kirei Square in Sundargarh since Class I and this year he entered Class IX. This unique programme has given us all which we never imagined in our life. The authorities are taking care of everything and my son is doing well both in academics and extra-curricular activities.”
The department has also introduced sports and recreation grant of Rs.40,000 for each hostel to provide indoor and outdoor game equipment to engage the kids during leisure hours and helping in building the team spirit.
“These initiatives in its long-term effect creates a base for healthy ST and SC students with smart body and mind so that they do well in the CBSE/ICSE Board examinations and our Department tries to fulfil its mandate to provide free educational opportunities to the talented, but needy boys and girls, who come from the remotest corner and shine like bright stars through their upbringing in the ecosystem run by the scheme,” feels Commissioner-cum-Secretary Roopa Roshan Sahoo.