Primary school students run their own savings scheme in Guj

Surat, Apr 12 (UNI) As many as 227 students of Bhata Primary School here in Gandevi taluka of Navsari district are running special savings scheme for their future studies.

The scheme known as ''Bal Sanchika Yojana'' is running at the school from 2001 and was incorporated by Principal Dhirubhai Patel.

The savings scheme now has a corpus of Rs 2.45 lakh of which Rs 1.35 lakh has been kept in fixed deposit by the school.

Mr Patel said, ''When I was a student, my principal launched a similar scheme, but it had to be closed down due to the lack of support. But, after becoming the principal of this school, I decided to fulfill my teachers' dream by starting the scheme.'' Students from class I to VII standards regularly deposited the amount in their respective accounts every month. The amount collected was deposited in Bank of Baroda, thereby earning an interest too, he said.

The process of depositing amount was very simple. Any student, who receiveds money from either his family or relatives, give it to the teacher, who noted down the amount in his register. The amount was forwarded to the schools' principal, who debited the amount in the pass book specially maintained for each student.

Later, the amount was deposited in the bank. When the student passed out from class VII, the amount was returned to him in full, he said.

Mr Patel said the most important part of the scheme was that all the interest earned was utilised in the development of the school. ''We do receive governments' fund for the schools' development, but when it was not sufficient or is received late, we utilise the interest amount,'' he added.

Parents are also happy by the schools' effort. Parul Patel, mother of a student, who received Rs 11,720 from his savings, said, ''I was thinking of withdrawing my sons' studies owing to my deteriorating financial condition, but now after receiving the amount, I am confident that he can pursue his studies further.'' The success of this scheme has motivated other schools too and now at least five schools in the area, are thinking of implementing the scheme, the Principal added.

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