Dr. Najma Heptulla, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs launched a new Central Sector Scheme – Nai Manzil in Patna on August 8, 2015.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that this new scheme has been shaped and launched within a short span of 3-4 months only after announced by the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech for 2015-16. Sharing her inclusive vision regarding progress and empowerment of minority communities in the country, she said inspired her to make innovative interventions in the field of education and skill development for improving the welfare of minorities as envisioned by the Prime Minister.
The scheme “Nai Manzil” scheme will address educational and livelihood needs of minority communities in general and muslims in particular as it lags behind other minority communities in terms of educational attainments. It is a new direction and a new goal for the all out of school/dropped out students and those studying in Madrasas. It is so because they will not be getting formal Class XII and Class X Certificates rendering them largely un employed in organised sector. The Nai Manzil scheme is aimed at this target group as an integrated intervention in terms of providing education as well as skill development. The scheme aims at providing educational intervention by giving the bridge courses to the trainees and getting them Certificates for Class XII and X from distance medium educational system and at the same time also provide them trade basis skill training in 4 courses :
1. Manufacturing
2. Engineering
3. Services
4. Soft skills
The scheme is intended to cover people in between 17 to 35 age group from all minority communities as well as Madrasa students. This scheme will provide avenues for continuing higher education and also open up employment opportunities in the organised sector.