Laptops denied to students joining private schools

The Rajasthan government has refused laptops to meritorious students who have opted for private schools for further studies, officials confirmed.

“Students of private schools are not eligible for laptops under the scheme,” said Gopal Singh Sodha, district education officer (elementary). “This has been decided at the government level and we are just following the directions. We have prepared the eligibility list as per directions.”

In Barmer district, 77 students on the Class 8 board examination merit list, including the topper, have been declared ineligible for laptops because they switched to private schools.

The state government has announced free laptops for Class 8 students on securing 85% marks in the board examination. The free laptop scheme was first announced in 2012 by then chief minister Ashok Gehlot for meritorious students. The scheme continued under the Vasundhara Raje government.

Dasrath Kanwar of Ranasar Kalla village is the topper in Barmer district with 93% marks in Class 8 board examination. Kanwar had to walk two kilometres to reach her government school. To save her from the inconvenience, her parents admitted her to a private school with hostel facility.

After Kanwar quit the government school, the education department didn’t give her a laptop.

Apart like free laptops, the state government gives free scootys and bi-cycles to meritorious students to ensure that they stay in government schools. But a lot of students prefer private schools, though the government claims that the quality of education has improved in government schools.