The project started as a pilot programme in the district of Rayagada, Odisha to assess the feasibility and impact of cash transfer of scholarships in promoting education in the eastern State. In September 2012, when the Government of India launched the ‘Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme’ (PMS) for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) boys and girls of classes 9 and 10, FCDO (formerly DFID), based on its learnings from the pilot, joined hands with the state government to provide technical and financial assistance for roll out of the national scheme as a conditional cash transfer programme.
As a part of the financial assistance, FCDO provided an additional top up amount for girl students under the aegis of OGIP.
The IPE Global Limited-led consortium, with India Development Foundation (IDF) and Mastek Limited as partners, provided technical assistance for implementation of the conditional cash transfer programme across 30 districts of the State.
IMPACT
- About 14% overall increase in enrolment of SC and ST students from 2013 to 2016 (U-DISE).
- Drop-out rate for SCs reduced from 21.2% in 2012-13 to 6.1% in 2015-16 and from 23.4% to 10.5% in case of STs during corresponding period.
- Attendance rates improved by 9% from 2013-14 to 2015-16 (OGIP MIS).
- Grade 10 pass rate for SC students has improved from 67.6% in 2013 to 80% in 2016. Similarly, for ST students it increased from 69.8% to 81.6% (Board of Secondary Education, Odisha).
- Per child expense in terms of education expenditure has gone up by Rs.650/-in 2015-16 as compared to base year (Independent Evaluation Agency).
- 1391 dropouts were brought back to the school system in 2013-14, and 1560 dropouts in 2014-15.
