Private, Government Schools Differ on EWS Student Scheme in Haryana

Around 700 private schools across Haryana have offered seats under the CM Haryana Equal Education Relief Assistance and Grant (CHEERAG) scheme for the 2025-26 academic year. These schools have made available 34,271 seats for students in classes 5 to 12.

The scheme allows government school students from economically weaker sections (EWS), whose parents earn up to Rs 1.80 lakh annually, to gain admission to private schools with government support.

Lukewarm Response in Ambala 

In Ambala district, only 22 schools have offered seats under the scheme, indicating a tepid response from private institutions in the region. 

Private Schools' Concerns

Kulbhushan Sharma, president of the National Independent Schools Alliance, explained several reasons for the limited participation of private schools: 

"The delay in reimbursement is one of the prime reasons behind the tepid response being given by private schools. Besides, a number of schools were rejected due to issues related to recognition," he said.

Sharma added that the scheme is being gradually phased out as the Education Department eliminates one class every year. He suggested, "If the government really wants better results, it should open the scheme for all students and the issues related to recognition must be resolved."

Government Teachers' Opposition

While private schools have concerns about reimbursements, government school teachers have opposed the scheme entirely.

Amit Chhabra, spokesman for the Haryana Rajkiya Prathmik Shikshak Sangh, stated: "From the very beginning, we have been demanding the withdrawal of the scheme. On one hand, the government is asking the teachers to increase enrollment in government schools and on the other hand it is ready to reimburse the fee of government school students if they want to take admissions in private schools." 

Chhabra argued that the funds allocated for reimbursements would be better spent on improving infrastructure in government schools and recruiting more teachers.

Education Department's Stance

District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) Sudhir Kalra clarified the department's position: "The department has released the list of eligible schools under the scheme to provide opportunity to the government school students to take admissions in the private schools. The students who want to take admissions in the schools who have offered seats will be facilitated."

Kalra warned that schools must follow the department's guidelines during the admission process, emphasizing that "in case the guidelines are not followed while giving admissions, the department will not be responsible for the reimbursement."