October 26, 2018
Sabuj Sathi: More than 95% students in class IX received cycles
More than 95 per cent of the students studying in Class IX in State-run, aided and sponsored schools, have received cycles under the Sabuj Sathi Scheme. Under the scheme, a pet project of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, students of classes IX, X, XI and XII are provided cycles free of cost in order to continue their education.
As of March 2018, the total number of students given cycles is 70 lakh. Bangla happens to be the only State where so many cycles have been distributed among students free of cost to promote education.
The State Government has spent Rs 2,300 crore for the scheme so far, implemented by the Backward Classes Welfare Department. The department has also provided training and given repairing kits to unemployed youths belonging to SC and ST communities to look after the cycles. The maintenance of the cycles for one year will be done by the BCW. The cycles are fitted with reflectors for safe cycling at night.
The first batch of cycles was distributed by Mamata Banerjee on October 23, 2015, at a function in Gopiballavpur-II block, now part of Jhargram district.
A preliminary report on the survey of the project’s social impact has stated that it has helped build confidence among girls of rural areas and has been successful in bringing down the number of school dropouts. It has also stopped early marriage of girls.
Source: Millennium Post
