Saraswati Cycle Yojana in Chhattisgarh
In the developing country like India, it is important to boost the literacy rate among the next generation youths particularly among the girl students. In order to do so, the Chhattisgarh government launched Saraswati Cycle Yojana, under which the girl students will be encouraged to carry their higher studies by providing free cycles.
Dropout from schools
According to an MHRD report, in 2014-15, the dropout percentage of students in secondary level is higher than in primary school level. The major reasons behind this upsurge in dropout ratio are lack of interest, poverty and absence of nearby schools. Students belonging to SC & ST are larger among the dropouts, especially in the state of Chhattisgarh. Most of the dropout boys switch to jobs to support their poor families. Girls on the other hand either get married or go to jobs. In general, next to poverty, distance from educational institutions hinders the higher education of girls. In order to reduce the school drop outs of girl children the state government launched this Saraswati Cycle Yojana
Situation in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh when formed in the year 2000 had a huge dropout ratio, when compared with many other states of India. According to a study conducted in the academic year 2005-06, more than twenty percentages of students dropped out from schools at secondary level in Chhattisgarh. It ranked among the top five states which had more dropouts at secondary level. But the state government has taken numerous actions to reduce the dropouts. Saraswati Cycle Yojana is one of the foremost measures taken by the state government to help girls to keep carry their schooling.
Saraswati Cycle Yojana
| S.No | Facts about Saraswati Cycle Yojana in Chhattisgarh State | Detailed Information |
| 1 | Number of Girls provide with Cycles under this scheme | 13,000 |
| 2 | Eligibility Criteria to get free cycle under this scheme | Girls students must have passed 8th class |
| 3 | Number of Girl Students registered for this scheme from Janjgir-Champa district | 7,500 |
| 4 | Who is responsible to provide free cycle to girl students under this scheme | DEO (District Education Officer) of the state |
| 5 | Eligible girls must be from which category to get free cycles under this scheme | SC/ST and BPL (Below Poverty Line) families |
- In order to help every girl to study at least up to standard twelve, the Chhattisgarh government offers free cycles to girl students who belong to SC & ST and join in ninth standard and above up to the age of eighteen. Students from BPL are also eligible to receive the free cycle. Every year around 10K girls benefit from this scheme.
- To encourage students from to under development tribal groups of the state, the educational department join hands with the tribal welfare department to offers free cycles to both boys and girls to continue their higher education after class eight.
Reaping fruits
As a result of the exemplary steps taken by the Government, the dropout percentage has decreased largely. The literacy percentage of rural women in Chhattisgarh is getting near to the average literacy rate in India. 2011 census shows that the female literacy rate has increased by around ten percentages. With such potentials plans and schemes, we can expect more growth in the female literacy rate across the nation.
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