Parents are one of the most significant parts of a child’s life as they are the primary caregivers who shape their futures. They play one of the most important roles in any individual’s life, so if they don’t play their roles right, the children’s lives can begin on a disrupted note.
The Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners is a unique and special scheme launched by the Department of Social Justice of the state government of Kerala. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide a helping hand to the children whose parents have been incarcerated. Through the scheme, financial assistance is provided to the children of the prisoners, specifically so that they can avail the facility of proper education. Along with Kerala, many other states run this scheme as well, such as the Educational assistance to children in Karnataka.
Read the article to learn more about the state government scheme, including answers to popular questions like, ‘Which state government launched the Sikhya Daat Project to educate prisoners?’.
Overview Table
The table below summarises some key details about the state government scheme that one should know.
| Name of the scheme | Educational assistance to children of prisoners in India |
|---|
| Launched by | Kerala state government |
| Objective | To support the children of prisoners in the state and help them acquire proper education |
| Which state government launched the Sikhya Daat Project to educate prisoners? | Punjab |
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What is Educational Assistance To Children Of Prisoners In India?
A child goes through extreme stress and disruption when something like incarceration happens to their primary caregivers. i.e. parents. To protect the essential aspects of a child’s life, like education, the Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners was launched as a welfare scheme by the Department of Social Justice of the state government of Kerala. The scheme’s primary aim is to support the children of prisoners in the state and help them acquire proper education so that they can build their futures in their preferred fields.
Not just basic schooling, but the state government scheme also helps students of prisoners in pursuing professional or other degree-level courses with the help of financial aid that covers tuition and hostel fees. Apart from Kerala, the scheme is run by many other states as well, like Educational assistance to children in Maharashtra or Educational assistance to children of prisoners in Tamil Nadu.
Objectives Of The Educational Assistance To Children Of Prisoners
The state government scheme comprises several objectives that make it stay true to its original purpose. Some of the key objectives of the scheme are laid down below in detailed points:
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The key objective of the educational assistance to children in India scheme is to help the children of the prisoners by taking care of their educational journeys so that they can grow up to be capable adults working in their preferred fields.
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The scheme helps the children by taking care of technical aspects of their education, like finance, so that the children can focus on their studies and their minds can be freed from issues like monetary constraints.
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The state government scheme ensures equitable access to higher and professional education institutions, irrespective of the child’s background, so that they can continue studying in their preferred fields from their chosen institute.
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Benefits Of The Educational Assistance To Children Of Prisoners
There are several benefits of the Educational assistance to children of prisoners in Tamil Nadu, some of them are described below for one’s reference:
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The state government scheme provides financial assistance to children of the prisoners that covers their tuition fees, fees for books, uniforms, and transport, so that the children can focus on their studies and not worry about petty issues like financial constraints.
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The scheme also provides support to children who secure admission to professional or degree courses based on their academic excellence. This allows students to pursue higher-level education in their chosen fields at their dream educational institutions.
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The educational assistance to children in India scheme operates through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, wherein the financial aid is credited directly to the beneficiary’s bank accounts, eliminating the need for any middlemen or instances of corruption.
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Through the scheme, the government also makes official channels that recognise the children’s achievements and keep them out of the cycle of shame, poverty, and stigma.
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The eligibility of the scheme is strictly limited to the children of prisoners from the BPL families, so that the benefits can be availed by only those who are in desperate need of such government schemes.
Also Read: Exploring the SWAYAM Learning Platform
What Is The Eligibility Criteria For The Educational Assistance To Children Of Prisoners?
Students are required to fulfil all the eligibility criteria of the scheme to apply for the Educational assistance to children of prisoners in Tamil Nadu. The criteria are as follows for one’s better understanding:
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The applicant should be a resident of the state of Kerala.
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Applicant should come under the Below Poverty Line category.
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The applicant should already be studying in between classes 1 to a degree/professional course.
Please note that the benefits of the scheme are extendable to even those who fall under the Above Poverty Line category, provided that both of their parents are in jail.
How To Apply For The Educational Assistance To Children Of Prisoners?
Applicants can apply for the state government scheme through both online and offline platforms, based on their preference and convenience. The process of application is mentioned below in a step-wise manner.
Online Process
Step 1: Please visit the SUNEETHI portal on the web.
Step 2: Begin by clicking on ‘one-time registration’ and register using your details like name, mail ID, and phone number.
Step 3: After finishing registering in the portal, click on ‘citizen login’.
Step 4: Post logging in, check and update all your personal information, after which a list of schemes will appear on your screen.
Step 5: Select the name of this scheme, fill in the application form, and finish applying for this state government scheme.
Offline Process
Step 1: Please visit the official web portal of the Social Justice Department of the Government of Kerala.
Step 2: Find the name of this scheme and download its application form.
Step 3: Fill out the application form and submit it through the Jail Superintendent along with the recommendation letter, and wait for approval.
What Are The Documents Required For The Educational Assistance To Children Of Prisoners?
There are some documents that the applicants are required to upload or attach while filling out the application form. The list of those documents is:
Conclusion
The Educational assistance to children of prisoners in India is one of the most unique and inclusive schemes that was launched by the state government of Kerala. This scheme recognises the children of the prisoners who are often overlooked and left alone to fend for themselves because of their parents' incarceration.
This state government scheme takes care of the children's education so that they can grow up to be educated and capable adults and contribute to their nation’s growth. The scheme also represents the government’s inclusive mindset in helping all the citizens and not just a select few.
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