The upcoming financial year holds the promise for a secure future for school-going kids of Vypeen.
In a unique initiative, Vypeen MLA S. Sarma, with assistance from the Department of Education and the Ernakulam District administration, has initiated a proposal to provide free health cover for as many as 21,000 students of 72 government/aided schools in the island.
The project, which covers parents and students up to the higher-secondary level, is towards ensuring children don’t drop out of the formal education system.
Under the scheme, each student will get a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh in case a parent dies in an accident, while Rs. 25,000 will be given for injuries from accidents. The compensation will be Rs.1 lakh if the student loses life in an accident. The students will be eligible for compensation even if they are being admitted for a single day at the hospital.
“The total premium, fixed at Rs. 60 per student, is worked around Rs. 12.5 lakh annually, which will be met through sponsorships in the first two years. From third year onwards, the parents will have to pay one fourth of the amount to bring in a sense of collective responsibility,” the MLA said.
The insurance cover would be given to students and their parents in case of death in calamities, road accidents, drowning and food poisoning.
The scheme, which is being implemented in partnership with the United India Insurance Company, stipulates that the concerned school authority should be notified if the students or their parents meet with an accident. On a certification from the school, the insurance company will pay the compensation.
Education officials pointed out that the scheme will benefit students, who belong to backward families.
They said the ‘low investment-heavy returns’ programme was of great significance as the risk of road accidents was high. Also, since the island was criss-crossed with water bodies, it added to the danger.