At a time when the Centre’s focus is on reservation for backward classes in higher education, the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Left Front Government in West Bengal is treading a different path.It plans to set up nine model residential schools, which will be exclusively for Scheduled Tribe students, in districts with a fairly large tribal population. However, in a reverse quota system of sorts, 10 per cent of the seats will be reserved for other students, including those belonging to the general category.Confirming this, State Minister for Welfare of Backward Classes Jogesh Burman said: ‘‘A quota of 10 per cent seats will be made available for poor and meritorious students belonging to all other castes.’’ He added: ‘‘The government is setting up these schools to enhance educational standards of tribal students. It has sanctioned Rs 22 crore for the project.’’The minister said the schools are expected to start functioning next year. ‘‘We will pay for food, clothing and all other needs of the students,” Burman said. He added that the government is working to separate the creamy layer of OBCs who get reservation. In West Bengal, there is 22 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes, six per cent for Scheduled Tribes and 7 per cent for OBCs.
