Prez for special fund to provide higher edu to poor children

New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) Indian President Pratibha
Patil Wednesday mooted creation of a special revolving fund to
help underprivileged children aspiring for higher studies.

"Nobody should be denied education on account of lack
of financial resources," Patil said while inaugurating the
sub-regional conference of South, South-West and Central Asia
on Higher Education here.

The President also supported greater participation of
women, saying the fair sex should have more opportunities to
get higher education.

"We often speak about inequalities that exist in
higher education. Inequalities can be corrected by following
inclusive approaches in the overall policy framework which
provides opportunities for talent to blossom," Patil said.

The President advocated starting a national talent
search process at the middle school level for identifying
deserving and meritorious students from underprivileged
background who should be supported for higher education.

"A special revolving fund should be created from which
loans at no interest are given to them for pursuing higher
education and which they can return after they start earning."

She warned that the country would stand to lose if
such meritorious students are deprived of higher education.
Patil also expressed concern over drug abuse among students.
She also stressed on more use of Information
Communication Technology to increase the reach of higher
education. PTI BKM
PMR