Govt to meet entire expenditure on Valmiki community children beyond class 12: CM

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced his government decision to meet the entire expenditure on education of Valmiki community children after class 12 while accusing previous governments of keeping Valmiki community bereft of developmental opportunities.

He also alleged that various political parties wanted the Valmiki community children to become only cleaners and sanitation workers.

Kejriwal made the allegations while addressing the community members at a Valmiki Jayanti celebration function at Lal Quila here and claimed it was his government only which worked for ameliorating the community's plight.

Kejriwal said all the previous governments had deliberately allowed worsening of the government schools' condition because politicians' children were studying in expensive private schools.

"Other political parties have always wanted the Valmiki children to become cleaners and sanitation workers. The AAP government is the first one to work in the interest of the community. I dream of seeing Valmiki students become doctors and engineers," said Kejriwal.

The chief minister also said his government would meet the entire expenditure on education of Valmiki community children after class 12.

"After passing out of schools, many brilliant children want to become doctors and engineers, but they cannot study further because of the lack of financial resources," the CM added.

"Preparations at coaching institutions for competitive examinations after 12th standard generally means spending lakhs of rupees. To benefit Dalit communities, the Delhi government will now bear the cost of the entire education of Valmiki community children after class 12," he said.

"Under the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Yojana, the Delhi government will provide financial support to Dalit students for higher education. Thus, the education of your children is our responsibility now. You need not worry about their education, we will provide quality education to your children," the chief minister said.

Kejriwal said that the result of the Delhi government schools' students in CBSE examinations are better than even the private schools.

He also said the children, no matter whatever community they belong to, will be studying in the same school and same class together.