SAMBALPUR: The Sambalpur district administration is set to launch an innovative programme, Sahayog , to help meritorious students from humble backgrounds pursue higher education. As part of the initiative, these students will be provided financial assistance by an individual or organization to continue their studies.The programme will be launched in the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) area on a pilot basis this year. Collector Samarth Verma said, "We had appealed to the people to adopt a meritorious student from a poor background and provide him or her financial support for higher education. Following this, many people came forward voluntarily."The district administration has already selected 71 Class V students of government-run schools for Sahayog. The individual selected to adopt a student will contribute at least Rs 500 every month till the time s/he appears for the matriculation examination. A joint account will be opened in the name of the student and his or her mother for depositing the money. The student or the family will not be able to withdraw the money until s/he passes the matriculation examination. The money deposited in the account will be spent on the post-matric education of the student."Every year, many meritorious students from poor families are forced to quit higher studies owing to lack of funds. Sahayog is an effort to help the poor and bright student," said Verma.District education officer Pramod Panda said, "The heads of government-run- schools have recommended their students for the programme. We have already started opening the bank accounts of the students who have been selected for the programme. Those individuals, who will adopt the students, will start depositing Rs 500 this month onwards." He added that efforts will be made to expand this programme to the entire district from next year.

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