THE DEMOCRATISATION OF EDUCATION-SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships With the attainment of Independence the process of democra- tisation of education began. This process has developed steadily One of the most important steps that the Government took was the introduction of various Scholarship Schemes at all stages of educa- tion. The objective was to encourage and promote education and research in various fields of the humanities, sciences and technology and to fling wide the gates of learning to the millions of India.
Merit Scholarships in Public Schools These scholarships are awarded to meritorious students and are tenable only in the schools that are Members or Associate Members of the Indian Public Schools Conference. For the year 1954-55, 65 candidates were selected, out of whom 24 were nominated against the scholarships instituted by various Public Schools and the rest were offered Government scholarships.
As a result of the informal conference of State Directors of Pub- lic Instruction/Education and Head Masters of Public Schools held on 8th April, 1955, to review the working of the scheme, it was decided that (a) the preliminary selection should be done by the Education Department of the States, (b) each State should recommend not more than 50 candidates and (c) the candidates recommended by the States Governments should be tested finally at Regional Centres by a Central Selection Committee.
The following Public Schools and State Governments have instituted during 1955-56 scholarships mentioned against each on more or less the same lines as under the Government of India Scheme:-
Lawrence School, Sanawar 22 Scholarships.
Lawrence School, Lovedale 8 Scholarships.
Rajkumar College, Rajkot 2 Half Freeships of the value of
Rs. 750 per annum.
Daly College, Indore 1 Scholarship.
Mayo College, Ajmer 4 Half Freeships and 5 Quarter
Freeships.
Government of Andhra. 4 Scholarships for residents of
Andhra State only.
Government of Tripura 3 Scholarships for residents of
Tripura State only.
Government of Pepsu 2 Scholarships for bonafide
residents of Pepsu State.
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The selections for the year 1955-56 are under consideration and the awards will be announced shortly.
A provision of Rs. 4,49,000 has been made in the budget estimate for the year 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)
Research Scholarships in Humanities The scholarships under this scheme are awarded to students who have already taken a Master's degree and. who want to pursue advanced research in any branch of the humanities.
In 1954-55, out of 51 candidates selected for the scholarships, only 37 availed themselves of the offer. For 1955-56, 38 candidates have been selected, of whom 31 have so far begun their approved courses of research. Applications for the awards to be made in 1956- 57 have been invited. A provision of Rs. 3,73,000 has been made in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)
Scholarships for Higher Studies in Hindi Twelve scholarships, one to each of the 12 non-Hindi speaking States, where facilities for higher studies in Hindi do not exist, were sanctioned for 1955-56. The number of scholarships actually awarded was eight. The question of expanding the scope of the Scheme during 1956-57 is under consideration. (Demand No. 19)
Post-Matric Scholarships It is proposed to institute a Scheme for the award of scholar- ships to poor but meritorious students for post-matriculation education from 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)
FACILITIES FOR STUDIES ABROAD
Central Overseas Scholarships Scheme This Scheme, that aims at raising the standard of instruction and research in the country, is meant for teachers of Government colleges, universities and certain comparable institutions. Of the 25 candidates selected for 1955-56, 20 have gone abroad so far. The remaining five candidates will leave as soon as their admissions and passage arrangements have been finalised. The selection of candidates for the 1956-57 batch has also been made.
A provision of Rs. 3,32,000 has been made in the budget estimates for 1956-57 to meet the expenditure on this Scheme. (Demand No. 19)
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The Central States Scholarships Scheme. The Central States Scholarships Scheme is open only to persons who by birth or domicile are natives of Part 'C' States or of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Of the five candidates selected for 1955-56, four have so far gone abroad. Candidates for the award of five scholarships for 1956-57 have also been selected.
A sum of Rs. 1,10,800 has been provided for the scheme during, 1956-57.
Fifty Fully-paid Overseas Scholarships Scheme It is proposed to institute, with effect from the year 1956-57, a, scheme for the award of 50 fully-paid scholarships for studies abroad. Young lecturers of universities and colleges and brilliant persons, research scholars and others not in the profession will be eligible for the award of these Scholarships.
A provision of Rs. 2,19,000 has been made in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19).
Agatha Harrison Fellowships This fellowship to be instituted as a memorial to the late (Miss) Agatha Harrison, will be open to Indian Nationals for Study of Asian Problems with special reference to India at St. Anthony's College, Oxford. A budget provision of Rs. 12,000 has been made in the estimates for 1956-57.
PARTIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME The benefit of the scheme in the form of loans was confined till last year to Indian students already abroad and to recipients of foreign scholarships/fellowships in need of money to meet the cost of one-way passage. In view of the increasing demand for partial financial assistance from various other categories of students, the scope of the scheme has been widened this year to include (i) students awarded Research/Teaching Assistantships/facilities for practical training in Industrial concerns abroad, (ii) students possessing a, brilliant academic record, going abroad at their own expense for higher studies in useful subjects and (iii) Teachers of universities and Institutions of higher learning appointed on a salary basis in foreign universities.
The loans given under the scheme earlier for one-way cost of passage only, are now being given to the above categories of students to meet the cost of one-way passage as well as the cost of equipment and kit, and/or to supplement the cost of maintenance abroad.
Indian students already abroad are as usual helped with small loans to meet emergent needs, as well as loans of larger amounts
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for the completion of studies if they are financially stranded owing to an unexpected deterioration in their financial resources.
Loans under the Scheme are interest-bearing and repayable in suitable monthly instalments not exceeding 36 after the expiry of six months of the loanee's return to India or on his/her employment in India/abroad, whichever happens earlier.
Out of the provision of Rs. 1,50,000 during the year 1955-56 loans (up to November 1955) amounting to Rs. 27,000 have been sanctioned to 15 students towards meeting the cost of one-way passage and a sum of Rs. 12,600 has been sanctioned to eight students for completion of studies abroad. An amount of Rs. 5,914 has been sanctioned to 13 students out of the Emergency Fund allotments placed at the disposal of the Indian Missions abroad. A provision of Rs. 1,50,000 has been made for 1956-57 to meet the expected increase in demand due to liberalised rules. (Demand No. 120).
Partial Financial Assistance to Indian Scientists Going Abroad Under this Scheme the Government of India give partial financial assistance to eminent Indian scientists who wish to go abroad at their own expense to visit well-known centres of research and study for the latest development in their special subjects of research and training. Four candidates have been selected for 1955-56.
This scheme will be continued during 1956-57. A budget-proviSion of Rs. 10,000 has been made for that year. (Demand No. 19).
SCHEDULED CASTES, SCHEDULED TRIBES AND OTHER
BACKWARD CLASSES SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEMES
Inland Scholarships Under this Scheme, scholarships are awarded to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes students for post-matri- culation studies in India. Out of 58,381 applications received during 1955-56, scholarships were awarded to about 31,700. This includes renewal as well as fresh Scholarships. In the latter case, all eligible Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates, all first class men candidates and all women candidates securing 55 per cent. marks or above, belonging to other backward classes, were selected. In addition, some candidates with lower marks covered within the quota allotment of certain States on a population basis, were selected. The community-wise distribution of selected candidates is as follows:
Scheduled Castes 16,200
Scheduled Tribes 2,900
Other Backward Classes 12,600
TOTAL 31,700
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Overseas Scholarships Twelve candidates (three Scheduled Caste, four Scheduled Tribes and five Other Backward Classes) were awarded Overseas Scholarships for advanced study abroad during 1955-56 on the recommendations of the Union Public Service Commission. Seven of these candidates have already gone abroad. The selection of candidates for the award of a similar number of scholarships for the year 1956-57 is expected to be finalised shortly. (Demand No. 19)
Passage Grants During 1955-56, one Scheduled Caste candidate and four other Backward Classes candidates who received foreign scholarships which did not carry a travel grant, were allowed free tourist class sea passage. Free return passage was also allowed to one candidate of other Backward Classes who had originally gone abroad upon receiving a grant for this purpose. (Demand No. 19)
For the year 1955-56 a budget provision of Rs. 130 lakhs was originally made, but as the number of applications received for inland scholarships was very large, the Government raised the allotment to Rs. 150 lakhs.
A provision of Rs. 150 lakhs for these scholarships (including overseas scholarships and passage grants) is being made in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)