Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday met students of Prayas Residential Schools in Raipur.
The Union Minister was in Raipur to inaugurate Chhattisgarh's first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) established in Steel City Bhilai.
The Prayas schools are being run under ‘Mukhyamantri Bal Bhavishya Suraksha Yojana’.
It may be recalled that meritorious students of insurgency-infested districts are given admission in XIth and XIIth standards of these schools and they are also provided free coaching for taking up competitive exams such as PMT, PET and JEE.
The Prayas Residential Schools have been established in all five divisional headquarters of Chhattisgarh, including Raipur.
Under this scheme of State Tribal Development Department, two separate 'Prayas Schools' are being conducted for girls and boys, wherein total 461 are enrolled. This includes 244 boys and 217 girls.
Both Union Minister and Chhattisgarh's School Education and Tribal Development Minister Kedar Kashyap had visited Gudhiyari-based Prayas Residential School in Raipur.
The Union Minister lauded the educational activities being conducted in the schools.
Javadekar said that these schools are building bright future of SC, ST and OBC students of insurgency-infested districts.
He said during his visit: "Today IIT Bhilai is going to be launched in Raipur. I would request professors of all the Higher Technical educational institutes such as IIT, IIM, NIT and others to visit Prayas Schools and deliver lectures and provide guidance to the students here."
The Union Minister later sat down with children on the floor at the assembly hall and asked them a number of questions about their studies and future, while encouraging them to achieve greater heights of success.
The Union Minister said- "Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on 'Sabko Shiksha- Achhi Shiksha' (quality education for all). Prayas Schools, which are being conducted by Chhattisgarh Government under Mukhyamantri Bal Bhavishya Suraksha Yojana, are the striking example of facilitating quality education to all as per the vision of 'Sabko Shiksha- Achhi Shiksha'."
He especially praised
Chief Minister Raman Singh for this initiative.
The Minister asked students that what is different about Prayas school, what is their aim in life, advantages of digital education, and what else they learn at this institution other than studies.
Suraj, who got selected for NIT after education at Prayas School, told that earlier he had no idea about IIT and NIT but here he learned to get to the core of everything to prepare for entrance examinations.
Anita Kanwar of Gariaband said that here they are educated not just to pass exam but for building bright future.
Ramkishore of Kanker said that he doesn’t aim to become Collector, Engineer.
He said he aims to become a teacher so that he make guide thousands of children like him to become Collector and Engineer.
Bhubaneshwar Markam of Sukma said that Naxalites had killed his father. He wants to become Collector and develop his village so as to change the ideology of Naxalites.
Jaiprakash of Rajnandgaon said that along with their studies, they are also learning about cleanliness, sports, gardening and mess management.
Reena of Kanker said that digital education has made it easier for them to learn. After listening to the answers of students, Javadekar said that education empowers life.
On the occasion, Chhattisgarh's School Education Tribal and Scheduled Caste Development Minister Kedar Kashyap said that under Mukhyamantri Bal Bhavishya Suraksha Yojana, Chhattisgarh Government is conducting Prayas, Aastha, Nishtha and other supporting organisations for welfare of naxal-violence affected children of SC, ST and OBC category.
Tribal and Scheduled Caste Development Department Commissioner Rajesh Sukumar Toppo said that State Government established Prayas School for Naxal-violence affected children in Raipur at first and then in all the divisional headquarters. From 2012 to present, total 74 students have got selected in NIT, 27 in IIT, 450 in engineering and 8 students of Prayas School have got selected in MBBS.
He requested the HRD Minister that the students of Prayas Schools hail from rural areas; they should be provided necessary support so that they may adopt the environment in institutions like IIT and NIT after admission there, and strive for better future.
On his request, the Union Minister said that necessary instructions in the context would be issued to higher education institutes.