Odisha Assembly Sees Walkout Over Controversial Education Scheme for SC/ST Students
Opposition's Protest in Odisha Assembly
Bhubaneswar: On Tuesday, members of the Opposition parties, including BJD and Congress, staged a walkout from the Odisha Assembly. They accused the ruling BJP government of planning to discontinue a program that allows SC and ST students to attend English-medium schools at no cost to their families.
Nityananda Gond, the Minister for ST & SC Development, clarified that the scheme is set to run until 2024-25 and is currently under review for potential extension.
The 'Anwesha Yojana', initiated by the previous BJD administration in 2015, provides education in English-medium institutions for students from economically disadvantaged SC and ST backgrounds. The government covers all expenses, including tuition, uniforms, books, transportation, accommodation, and nutritional support.
During the discussion, Congress leader Rama Chandra Kadam expressed his dismay, stating that it is unacceptable for tribal and Dalit students to be deprived of their rights under a government led by a tribal chief, CM Mohan Charan Majhi.
Kadam criticized the BJP government for halting a scheme that had instilled hope among marginalized communities, labeling it as a 'Manuwadi' approach that seeks to keep these groups oppressed and obstruct their advancement.
He pointed out that tribals and Dalits constitute 40% of Odisha's population, and given that the Chief Minister is tribal, there were expectations for better support for STs and SCs, which have not materialized.
BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera highlighted the significant reduction in the dropout rate in Odisha, which fell to 18.1% in 2023-24 from 33% in 2021-22, attributing this improvement to initiatives like the Anwesha Yojana.
He questioned the government's commitment to quality education, asking how denying access to English-medium schools aligns with that goal.
In response to the Opposition's claims, Gond reiterated that the scheme, which began in 2015, currently supports around 20,473 students in various hostels across 17 districts.
He explained that no new admissions would occur for the 2025-26 academic year as the scheme is subject to a five-year review. The government is considering extending its tenure.
Gond also mentioned that the BJP government has implemented several measures to enhance education for ST and SC students, including the Madho Singh Hata Kharcha scheme to reduce dropout rates and the establishment of Ekalavya Schools and residential institutions for these communities. Additionally, scholarships for ST and SC students have been increased.