KANNUR: As the academic year is about to end, the LSS and USS scholarship money provided for meritorious students in public schools in the state has been stalled due to financial crisis. As per the reply given to RTI activist Raju Vazhakala, the scholarship arrears from 2019 till now will be around Rs 8 crore. The parents of the students who have passed the LSS and USS examinations have approached the AEO and DEO offices but to no avail.

Rs 1000 for LSS and Rs 1500 for USS

The LSS and USS are the biggest public examinations conducted in primary and upper primary classes. For LSS scholarship, the amount is Rs 1000 and for USS it’s Rs 1500. The questions are based on knowledge and skills in subjects like Language, Mathematics, Basic Science, Environmental Studies and English. Candidates who have secured grade A in these subjects in the 1st term examination are eligible to appear for the LSS examination. Eligibility to appear for USS is to obtain A grade in Class 7 language subjects along with other subjects in the first term examination. But subject to special conditions, those who have obtained A grade in two and B grade one subject will also be considered.

“The reply received was that the details of the students eligible for scholarship have not been collected in the district and sub-district education offices. The arrear details were collected from each office. The fact is that the education department is not working effectively and efficiently which causes this delay. There is no action taken by the authorities to get allotment from the government.”, said RTI activist Raju Vazhakala.