MP declares Free Education for children orphaned due to COVID-19

Following a rise in the number of children orphaned due to the raging ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared on Thursday that children who lost their parents or guardians to COVID would receive free education and a monthly pension of Rs 5,000. In addition, the chief minister stated that the state would provide loans to people who want to work, with a government guarantee.

"We will give Rs 5000 per month pension to children who have lost their parents/guardians in this COVID pandemic. We'll also provide free education and rationing to these children and their families, "Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, said.

"We will give these families government-guaranteed loans to people who want to work," the chief minister added.

#COVID19 महामारी ने कई परिवारों को तोड़कर रख दिया। कई परिवार ऐसे हैं, जिनके बुढ़ापे का सहारा छिन गया और कुछ ऐसे बच्चे हैं, जिनके सिर से पिता का साया उठ गया है।

वे बच्चे, जिनके पिता, अभिभावक का साया उठ गया और कोई कमाने वाला नहीं है, इन परिवारों को रु.5000 प्रतिमाह पेंशन दी जाएगी। pic.twitter.com/vUKaioQSL5

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) May 13, 2021

Many children have been orphaned as a consequence of the pandemic. Initially, relatives of such children take responsibility for their upbringing, but no one knows what the future holds for them. Moreover, in light of the crisis, some organisations are urging the state government to implement certain programmes to ensure the safety of these children's futures.

The state health department confirmed 8,970 new cases of COVID-19 on 12th May and 84 fatalities, bringing the total number of infections to 7,00,202 and the death toll to 6,679, according to the news agency.

Due to a steady rise in COVID-19 cases, the state government has also postponed the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams. The Madhya Pradesh Board exams for classes 10 and 12 were set to take place on 30th April 30 and 1st May.

According to an official statement released in this regard, the board is exploring alternate methods for Class 10 and Class 12 exams and will announce any decision regarding the conduct of Class 10, 12 board exams soon.