Rajeev Gandhi Foundation (RGF), New Delhi
For Implementing Vidya Gyan Scholarships
By Human Welfare Association (HWA), Varanasi

Acute poverty causes large number of children to drop out of school after the first few years. While the overall enrollment of girls has increased over the years, the dropout rate of girls from the marginalized and rural sections, especially at the upper primary level onwards, is extremely high. The muslim and dalit girl child is particularly vulnerable in this regard.Muslims and SCs/STs are the least literate groups in both urban and rural India. The Rajeev Gandhi Foundation, in partnership with the Sri Sivasubramniya Nadar Educational and Charitable Trust (SSN Trust), has instituted ‘Vidya Gyan Scholarships’ for Muslim and Dalit Girls in three districts of Uttar Pradesh. HWA would be responsible for the implementation of the Scholarship Programme in Lohta area of Kashi Vidyapeeth Block, Varanasi district.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME

	To provide educational opportunities to girls from muslim and dalit communities which lag behind economically, educationally and socially and enable them to move to better schools. .
	To facilitate their achieving a better formal education through coaching and other support.
	To enhance their capacities and skills thereby empowering them.

SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME