Some 400 dropout students from the distressed and underprivileged communities in the city received financial grants valued at around Taka 12.50 lakh for restarting their institutional learning in the city.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) under its ‘Urban Partnership for Poverty Reduction Project (UPPRP)’ has been extending the support so that the dropout students don’t deprive of their educational rights.
This was disclosed at a cheque-distribution ceremony held in Malda Colony area of the metropolis on Sunday, where the grants were disbursed.
RCC Mayor Mosaddeque Hossain Bulbul, who addressed the distribution ceremony as chief guest, has urged upon all concerned to ensure financial supports towards the distressed students for facilitating their educational activities.
He said the city corporation is very much positive to bring all the children under educational arena by 2014 for freeing the metropolis from the curse of illiteracy and sought a collective effort to make the endeavor a total success.
“We are committed to ensure financial supports towards the distressed dropout students to continue their educational activities,” the Mayor asserted.
He urged upon the cheque-recipients to put in their level best efforts for making the underprivileged children educated after the best uses of the grants for making them competent human resources.
In his welcome speech, UPPRP Town Manager Ershadul Haque said the project is being implemented aimed at improving the living and livelihood condition of around three lakh poor and extreme poor people, especially women and girls, in the Rajshahi city by 2015.
UNDP in association with UKaid and UNHabitat extends financial and technical support to the project.
Taking part in the open discussion, the community people proposed that primary and secondary education should be given more priority so that the number of dropouts could be reduced to a greater extent.
RCC Ward Councilor Momtaj Mohal Laily, UPPRP Cluster Chairman Afroza Begum, and social worker Lutfor Rahman also spoke on the occasion.
