KARACHI, Feb 8: The Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi, is likely to introduce about 100 merit-cum-poverty scholarships for high achievers of HSC exams from the next academic session.

A source in BIE said that the authorities were vigorously considering a scheme which could enable the poor but meritorious students having passed the HSC level examinations to continue their education further. The scholarship will be given to successful and distinguished candidates belonging to regular or external schemes of intermediate studies, added the source.

In the past, there had been instances that many good students had been unable to acquire education at colleges as their families could not afford the considerable amount of money required for it. The proposed scheme has been aimed at facilitating the distinguished students of private groups for joining the mainstream of the regular students.

BIE chairman Prof Iftikhar H Zaidi said that he had already discussed on the subject at various levels and in principle it had been decided that the board should allocate a sum for 100 scholarships for the deserving students having cleared intermediate education under the board.

We are likely to start the scholarship with a cash payment of Rs5,000 to Rs2,000 per student per year, keeping in view of the performance of the students and financial conditions of the families and guardians of individuals applying for the grant.

He said that the matter was being taken on priority basis and it was hoped that after formal approval of different bodies of the board, these scholarships would be introduced from the next academic session for the benefit of students.