KATHMANDU, July 10

The Higher Secondary Education Board on Friday extended the deadline for the submission of scholarship applications for Grade XI and XII students affected by the earthquake of April 25 by a week.

The earlier set deadline for submitting scholarship applications ended on Friday. A meeting of the Higher Secondary Education Board on Friday decided to extend the deadline till July 16.

“The deadline has been extended to ensure that not even a single (earthquake) victim student misses the opportunity to apply for scholarship,” said Higher Secondary Education Board Vice-chairperson Chaitanya Sharma, adding that the HSEB has received applications in huge numbers so far.

As per a Higher Secondary Education Board decision of June 24 to provide full scholarship and hostel facilities to earthquake affected students, the HSEB on June 25 had asked all concerned to apply for the same by July 10.

The HSEB has set four different categories for scholarships to earthquake-affected students — students who lost both their parents, students who lost either of their parents, students who lost their homes and students who were injured in the quake. Students from the 14 worst-hit districts are eligible for the scholarship.

Sharma said the HSEB has formed a three-member committee under the coordination of Gokarna Baniya, a member of the HSEB, to determine the amount of scholarship and other facilities.

He informed that the committee was in the final stage to submit its report with recommendations.

He added that the HSEB was going to hold a meeting with the Department of Education, Higher Secondary Schools Association Nepal and HSEB officials regarding their financial contribution for the students affected by the quake.

According to HSEB officials, HISSAN and HSEB were going to provide Rs 60,000 each for the Plus Two education with residential facilities to the students who lost their both parents in the quake.

As per the government policy to provide free education to quake-affected students, the HSEB had decided to provide scholarship to students. The HSEB has said it ‘is very serious and careful to avoid duplication.’