Free Education Scheme in Puducherry: Schools, colleges told not to collect fees from SC/ST students
The Puducherry government has issued a directive prohibiting schools and colleges from collecting fees from eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students. The initiative is part of the Free Education Scheme, which covers tuition costs for students from Class I through postgraduate levels.
Why it matters
This policy aims to reduce financial barriers to education for marginalized communities, ensuring equitable access to academic institutions in the region.
The Department of Adi Dravidar and Scheduled Tribes Welfare has directed schools and colleges not to collect fees from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates who are eligible for enrolment under the Free Education Scheme introduced by the Puducherry government.
All students belonging to an SC community, as per the Puducherry (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1964, and its 2002 Amendment, and students belonging to an ST community, as per the Puducherry (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 2016, are eligible for availing themselves of the Free Education Scheme in the Union Territory, Arjun Ramakrishnan, Director of the Department, said in a press release.
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