BMC 'coins' new scheme to keep girls in school

PUTTING MONEY TO GOOD USE: BMC has allotted Rs 5 cr now and in June they will finance further education for meritorious students.

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Keywords: One Rupee Scheme, Girl Students

Mumbai: The power of one lends a silver lining to Vaishali Pawar's day. The 15-year-old's diligence at attending school, even as she takes care of cancer-stricken mother, has paid off.

Today, she's made Rs 195, one for each day she's attended school in the past year.

The seventh standard student says that she will spend the money on tuition fee.

Vaishali is one of the 2.2 lakh girl students who will get Re 1 per day of attendance as per the BMC's new plan to encourage girls to continue their education.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Education), SS Shinde says, "Compared to boys, the dropout rate among girls is much larger and so we have come up with this plan to encourage the girls to attend school."

An estimated 10,000 girls drop out of municipal school every year, often due to family pressures, but with those Re 1 coins adding up, the future seems bright.

Vaishali's father Dilip Pawar says, "She can continue her education for however long she wants to."

Other parents agree saying that they can now use the money — small though in amount — to shop for their children.

The BMC has allotted Rs 5 crore for the scheme and come June, they say they will also finance higher education for these students.

Vaishali's got big problems at home as of now, but her eyes are already on the prize, one day at a time.

(With inputs from Anushi Chaturvedi in Mumbai)