Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal Monday sought personal intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to formulate a scheme for opening special boarding schools for poor students, who are talented.
These students have passed out of government schools with 80 per cent and
above, he said.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Badal impressed upon him that initially one such special school per district could be opened in the state on a pilot basis.
He requested the Prime Minister to make adequate provisions in the 12th plan for opening such special schools.
The chief minister apprised Singh that he had come across numerous cases of poor, but academically talented students studying in purely government schools who have scored above 80 per cent marks in their boards or other qualifying examinations.
Unfortunately, due to their economic conditions, most of these bright students drop out after matriculation or plus 2 classes, Badal said.
The chief minister was of the opinion that given the conducive and encouraging environment, these students would not only excel for themselves but also prove to be a great asset for the nation.