8,760 ST students yet to get SSLC scholarships

Even a year after the results were out, as many as 8,760 students in the state are awaiting a token of appreciation for their hard work.

Students belonging to the Scheduled Tribes, who took their Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exams last year, and fared quite well are still awaiting scholarship.

Students who secured above 60% in the board exams are entitled to get Rs 7,000, and those who secured above 75% would be eligible for Rs 10,000.

Radhika (name changed), a student from a remote area in Shivamogga, is one among the high scorers. Though she secured distinction, she has not received the reward that was promised. She approached the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board director, Sumangala, on Friday.

In response, Sumangala agreed there were several other students like Radhika who were awaiting scholarship. “These were students who appeared for exams in 2017. None of them has received the scholarship,” she said.

Sumangala further said the scholarships were awarded by the Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department to students who scored high marks. “They have not released the amount for last year’s scholarship. I have written a letter to the director of the department concerned in this regard,” she said.

“Ideally, the money is released within a month or so after the results are announced, and a list is prepared. We have repeated enquiries regarding the same from students across the state,” said another official.

The Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department has to give the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) a total of Rs 5.14 crore. Students file applications with the KSEEB following the announcement of results based on which the scholarships are awarded.

Even as the scholarships of Scheduled Castes students have been released by the department of social welfare, it is a long wait for students from the Scheduled Tribes. Meanwhile, the concerned minister, Priyank Kharge could not be reached for a reaction.