Sources in the Education Department say the project is designed to enable the economically-deprived to send their daughters to school and reduce the ever-increasing girls’ drop-out rate.

The scheme will offer scholarships to meritorious girls from classes V to VIII.  A special test in mathematics, science, English and social studies will be held on February 14 for girls of classes VI and VII, and scholarships will be awarded to good performers. 

Performance in board exams will determine who receives scholarships for classes V and VIII.  Students ranking first, second and third in these block-level tests will be awarded Rs 2,000, 1,500 and 1,000, respectively.

Project coordinator Naresh Kumari says many parents from economically-weaker sections and remote areas do not send girls to school, and instead make them work so that they can start earning money at an early age.