DMF to be spent on providing English medium education

The poor students of MCL mines-affected areas of Jharsuguda district would be given free education in English medium school from the District Mineral Fund (DMF). Thus, Jharsuguda would be the first district in the State for giving this facility.

After a decision taken in this regard on Friday at a DMF meeting, preparations are underway for implementation of the coveted project at the Daniel English Medium School at Brajrajnagar.

Initially, 25 students each would be admitted in LKG and UKG classes of the school from the current session. Funds provision would be made from the DMF to provide hostel accommodation, food, dress, medicines and study materials free of cost to the students. With a survey going on, admission would be done after selection of the students.

A committee has been formed with the District Welfare Officer, District Education Officer, District Project Coordinator of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, DCPO and representatives from the DMF and Daniel School which would look after implementation of the project.

Every year, 25 students from the mining areas of the district like Brajrajnagar and Belpahar, including Lakhanpur block of the district would be given free and quality education at the Daniel English Medium School. Around Rs 60,000 would be paid from the DMF each year for education and allied expenses per student. Out of 126 villages of the district notified as the mines-affected area, 99 directly-affected villages would be benefitted from the project.

Children of shopkeepers, small farmers and those losing their hearth and homes due to mining would be directly benefitted. On receipt of a willingness letter from the Daniel school for implementation of the project from the current session, infrastructure facilities of the school were inspected by committee members. Being satisfied by the committee, the admission process has been initiated.