Free education for orphans in Rajasthan Universities and Colleges

Educating our youth would be the first step towards building a golden future. The moment all of our people are educated, then only we will be called developed and growing in the real sense. The Higher Education Minister of Rajasthan has taken a step in this direction and initiated something very commendable. The Government of Rajasthan has decided that the orphans will be charged for their education in Rajasthan universities and colleges.

The government is planning to implement this free education policy in all the 24 state-run universities and their 207 constituent or affiliated colleges, as specified by Saraf in Kota. But this policy is not binding on the state’s private colleges and universities.

Governor Kalyan Singh claims that “The policy’s aim is to provide development and growth opportunities to orphans through providing them free education who face financial issues and are vulnerable as they do not have parents”.

The policy is applicable from the 2016-2017 session and standing directions are given to the universities and colleges to not collect fees from the orphan students by the Commissioner of the directorate of state higher education, Anoop Khinchi.

Not only the Government but the universities are also welcoming the step and are appreciating it. They are ready to provide support to orphans. The Vice-chancellor of Vardhman Mahaveer Open University (VMOU), professor Ashok Sharma have said that while other varsities would provide only free education to orphans, but VMOU would also provide free study material to them. Through this, we could support them in a better way. Deputy Secretary of secondary education, BK Gupta said while the school education was already free for orphans up to Class 8, but now the Rajasthan government has extended the policy till Class 12. Other than Rajasthan, Odisha Government also provides free education to orphans in universities of the state.