Impact of the Pre-Metric Scholarship on Educational Retention of Class IX–X Girls (ST, SC, OBC) in Kalahandi District, Odisha

Kalahandi, a tribal-dominated district in Odisha, faces significant educational challenges among marginalized girls due to poverty, low awareness of government schemes, and infrastructural limitations. The Pre-Matric Scholarship, aimed at students from Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), is designed to reduce dropout rates at the secondary level. The scholarship is jointly managed by the Tribal Welfare Department (policy and funding) and the School and Mass Education Department (implementation). Teachers, acting as Institute Nodal Officers (INOs), collect student documents and submit applications via the Odisha State Scholarship Portal (OSSP). This study explores awareness, accessibility, and effectiveness of the Pre-Matric Scholarship in improving school retention among Class IX and X girls in Kalahandi. Using a mixed-method approach, findings reveal that while the scholarship positively influences retention and motivation, low awareness, dependency on teachers, and portal-related issues limit its effectiveness. The study also discusses the potential role of the Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership (PFEL) in facilitating inter-departmental convergence, awareness campaigns, and documentation support.