Board exam fee waived for Covid-19 orphans

As per state data, 5,000 children have lost at least one parent

To assist children who lost their parents to Covid-19, the Maharashtra government has decided to waive their exam fee for the 202122 state board exams for Classes 10 and 12. State school education minister Varsha Gaikwad made the announcement on twitter, saying, “A small solace from our side to children who have lost their parents to the pandemic – exam fee for state board exams 2021-22 is being waived off. We are aware they have gone through a lot already, but their education must continue.”

Gaikwad’s announcement came days after state minister of women and child development Yashomati

Thakur said that the state cabinet has approved the special scheme where Rs 5 lakh will be deposited in the form of a fixed deposit in the name of children who have lost both their parents to the pandemic. When these children turn 21, the money, along with the interest accrued, will be transferred to their bank accounts. Children who have lost both or one parent after March 1, 2020 due to Covid19 will be eligible for the scheme. The financial aid given under Bal Sangopan scheme will also be hiked to Rs 2,500.

According to government data, over 5,000 children have lost at least one parent while more than 500 children have lost both parents to Covid.

The government’s announcement came when schools in rural areas for Classes 1-4 and in urban areas for Classes 1-7 reopened from December 1. In Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Navi Mumbai and Nashik, the school department’s decision to reopen schools for these classes has been deferred in the wake of detection of the Omicron variant.

The BMC has announced that schools for Classes 1-7 will reopen from December 15. Pune Mayor Mulridhar Mohol also said schools in the city will not reopen from December 1 and that the date will be announced after discussions with all stakeholders. The Nashik Municipal Corporation also deferred reopening of schools for Classes 1-7 to December 10.