Nagaland’s School Education Department on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation to implement the Vidyadhan Scholarship Program, creating a new long-term educational support system for government school students from economically weaker backgrounds.
The initiative will primarily benefit students who have recently passed the HSLC examination, with support designed to extend from Class XI through higher education, including professional courses.
For many students in Nagaland, particularly those from rural and financially constrained families, the transition beyond secondary school often becomes difficult due to economic limitations. The Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme seeks to address that gap by combining financial assistance with sustained academic and career development support.
Advisor for School Education and SCERT Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome said the timing of the programme is significant, coming immediately after the declaration of HSLC results.
He noted that the initiative is distinct from conventional scholarship models because it not only supports students at the school level but also continues through higher studies, potentially expanding long-term opportunities for deserving students.
Describing education as a major priority for Nagaland, Yhome said such interventions could play a crucial role in broadening both aspirations and access, particularly for low-income communities.
Commissioner and Secretary for School Education and SCERT Kevileno Angami described the MoU as an important addition to the state’s existing educational support framework.
She said the program, already implemented in multiple states across India, would now extend similar opportunities to eligible students in Nagaland through defined conditions and selection criteria.
According to Sarojini Damodaran Foundation Principal Consultant Pankaj Tripathi, the Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme, launched in Kerala in 1999, is currently operational in 22 States and Union Territories.
He said the program has awarded over 78,000 scholarships and goes beyond financial aid by incorporating mentoring, career counselling, soft skills development and internship opportunities.
Foundation officials stated that selected students may receive support for five to seven years, with funding directly transferred to beneficiaries without deductions.
In addition to scholarship support, the foundation also conducts structured training programs, including annual residential sessions focused on motivation, career planning and employability skills.