Allahabad University to offer free education to students losing both parents to Covid-19

PRAYAGRAJ: At a time when a number of families have lost their near and dear ones in the present Covid-19 pandemic and several educational institutions, organisations as well as the government have come forward to help them, Allahabad University too has decided to lend a helping hand to the students who have lost their parents to the novel coronavirus by offering free education. This includes those who are already enrolled in the varsity.
“The prevailing corona crisis in the country for the past two years has had a deep impact on the lives of the people and caused deep emotional, psychological, financial and social turmoil. Approximately, 9,000 children have lost both parents due to Covid 19. It is the responsibility of each one of us and also the government to ensure sustenance of their education, means of livelihood and security, especially in case of the girl child,” AU public relations officer (PRO) Jaya Kapoor told TOI on Thursday.
The university has a responsibility as a part of its commitment to social welfare to reach out to such children, who have lost both their parents and thereby face the challenge of being able to continue their education, she added.
“In view of this fact, AU vice -chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava has sent a proposal to the district administration wherein she has informed that AU will offer supernumerary seats for students who have lost both parents due to Covid-19. There will also be a complete waiver of the fees along with any other charges related to academics for these children who have lost both mother and father.”
In addition, the varsity is also sensitive to the already enrolled students of AU. “The same benefits would be provided to already enrolled students. The only criteria would be that the student concerned would have to present proof of death of both mother and father,” said Prof Srivastava.
To cater to the rest of the needs of the child, fostering (where a child who needs home is taken into your home and taken care of without adoption of the child), and ‘Earn while you learn’ schemes will fall in place to prepare them for a better future, the VC has decided.
‘Earn while you learn’ is a novel scheme being followed by some universities of the country wherein enrolled students help their departments or central facilities like libraries performing small duties (arranging books or files) against which they are paid some remuneration.
Talking of the criteria, to claim the admission at AU under supernumerary quota, the PRO informed TOI that only those students would be eligible to avail the facility at AU who have passed the intermediate examination and produce death certificate of both parents due to Covid-19.