The MAEF schemes which include both grants-in-aid for construction of schools and scholarships to minority girls to pursue their education further, act as an impetus to empower these girls socially and economically. MAEF has provided 1,15,000 scholarships in 2017-18 alone and if this trend continues, it wouldn’t be long before literacy rate of minority girls’ population begins to alter substantially to a positive statistic.
When I first came across this scheme which has helped meritorious girls from minority communities since 2003-04, benefiting 3.89 lakh girls with about ₹392 crores in total, I wished I had known about it earlier so that my friends could have also benefited from it. This has always been the problem with the schemes — unawareness among prospective beneficiaries, mainly because of insufficient and inefficient advertisement.
The extension of allowances which has increased to ₹10,000 and ₹12,000 for girls of classes IX-X, and XI-XII, is a commendable move. I hope that this scheme is advertised properly, especially in small towns and villages and girls who aspire to study can finally do so. Those who were denied education earlier and instead asked to help at home will for once be able to fulfill their dreams and see their dreams become a reality soon.
Minority education should be promoted because it is a part of the fundamental rights — cultural and minority rights in Article 24 of the Indian Constitution. The government should take necessary measures to promote education with many such incentives. It goes with the spirit of deferential but equal treatment, to make sure that education be equally available for everyone irrespective of caste and creed.
