The government has extended the state's group health insurance scheme -- Swasthya Sathi -- to teachers, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said.
After honouring teachers and professors from different educational institutions with the Siksha Ratna Samman awards for their outstanding contribution at a special function on the occasion of Teachers''Day at the Nazrul Manch today, Banerjee said, "From today, teachers will also be covered under the Swasthya Sathi scheme."
The move would take the number of beneficiaries under the scheme from 47 lakh to 55.5 lakh, she added.
Stating that the Kanyashree scheme, which has won accolades globally, was her "favourite", Banerjee said the scheme has helped in cutting down the number of school dropouts among girls.
"I am proud to announce that after we introduced Kanyashree, the school dropout rate among girls has come down by 16.5 per cent. This is a big achievement," she said.
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