Darbhanga, June 20: Meritorious students, who have recently cleared their Class X examination from Bihar School Examination Board, have a reason to cheer about.

Dr Prabhat Das Foundation will conduct a Medha Chayan Pratiyogita, 2011, on June 22 and will bear the total cost of education of the top six students who appear for this examination.

The district education officer of Darbhanga has asked principals of 80 high schools to send a list of their meritorious students who have cleared the Class X examination this year.

The foundation will conduct the examination in five centres including MKP Bidyapati High School, Laheria Sarae, Raj High School, Lalbag Darbhanga, Jayanand High School, Bahera, Omkar High School, Biroul, and Mithila High School, Blaur Manigachhi. More than 500 students are expected to appear in the examination at these centres.

Apart from the top six, 10 more students would be awarded with consolation prizes. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has been organising the examination every year.

District education officer Ashish Ranjan told The Telegraph: “The examination inspires meritorious students particularly from government schools where students from poor families study. The foundation selects students based on merit and provides financial help to them. Such facilities are not available in government schools to promote students.”

He said: “I have asked the principals of all the 80 high schools that fall under this jurisdiction for sending the list of meritorious students so that they can be selected and appear for the examination. The foundation does not take any fee for conducting this examination.”

Rambujhawan Yadav Ramakar, the district co-ordinator of Children Science Congress, told The Telegraph: “The foundation is involved in shaping the careers of students by providing financial help. Apart from conducting this examination, it conducts quizzes, painting competition for children and encourages students to enhance their careers.”

Poonam Kumari, the principal of Girl’s High School, Kamtoul said: “This scholarship examination is a boon for girl students. Girl students from poor families are not able to continue their studies because of financial crunch, if the foundation comes forward for helping them, girls can certainly accomplish their goals and prove their worth.”

The principal said the examination is of 60 minutes and students have to attempt 60 questions in the stipulated time.