Class X, XII toppers to get Rs 16,000 each for buying tablets

The Education Department has decided to give Rs 16,000 each to the Class X and Class XII meritorious students from government schools for last three years for buying a tablet (an electronic device) under the state government’s scheme.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will start the process by giving vouchers of Rs 16,000 to a few meritorious students at the government’s Jan Sankalp rally in Mandi tomorrow. “Overall, the vouchers will be provided to around 10,000 meritorious students from last three years. For every year, 3,300 students will get the voucher. The Chief Minister will kick off the initiative by giving vouchers to a handful of the students at the Mandi event,” said Ashish Kohli, Director, School Education.

“For other meritorious students, we will send the vouchers to deputy directors, who will distribute in the schools,” said Kohli. The meritorious students from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe will also be given the Rs 16,000 vouchers.

The students will have to encash these vouchers with the vendors picked by the government for supplying tablets to the students. “If anyone wants to buy a costlier tablet, such students can pay the remaining amount from their own pocket,” said Kohli.

Kohli said that tablets would help the meritorious students in a big way, especially at a time when there’s a huge thrust on digital learning. “Most government school students can’t afford such electronic devices. It will help these meritorious students to prepare for competitive exams as well,” said Kohli.