SC/ST students studying in the government schools of Karnataka will probably be provided laptops for free if they secure first class marks in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination (SSLC) in 2019. The idea is to encourage students from SC/ST communities to go for higher education.
As of now, the State Department of Primary and Secondary Education provides free laptops only to the first three toppers from each district in the state but now the same incentive is expected to be extended to all SC/ST students who score more than 60% in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination (SSLC).
Also Read: Class 9th and 10th Students to Get Free Laptops
The data gathered from previous examinations show that the students belonging to these communities tend to score less than the general category students. The laptop scheme is being launched to motivate SC/ST students to perform well in the examination. The department is also gathering information from the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) on the total number of such students to submit a funds proposal in the upcoming budget for laptops.
Last year, the Karnataka government introduced another scheme where they distributed free laptops to SC/ST students pursuing PG and professional courses. The laptops that were distributed had a 14-inch screen, with a Windows 10 version, Intel quad processor, 1TB hard drive and 4GB RAM.
Also Read:MP Government Rewards Meritorious State Board Students with Laptops
The Minister of Social Welfare said free laptops would be given only to those SC/ST students who take up higher education through government quota. The students who are in the first year of PG or professional courses are eligible for free laptops.
Free laptops would only be given to those who clear the Common Entrance Test (CET).