The current definition of Social work is as Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance well-being (IASSW 2014).
In India, the social work do not have a national association but is doing enormous amount of work in the current social scenario of India. Hundreds of students are studying in social work courses in various colleges and universities. However in 2014, social work course has included in the E-Grants State Scholarship Website of Kerala Governmen but the number of institutions listed under BSW is just 9 where institutions listed under MSW is 39.
E-grantz is web based application provided by Government of Kerala for the timely disbursement of educational assistance and scholarships to students in all colleges in Kerala. These students may be the post metric students of Scheduled castes, Scheduled Tribal, Other Backward Caste as well as economically backward families in Kerala. It provides provision for making online applications by students. Students can use e grants website to register their names or can approach Akshaya centers to register the name. Then they will get a mail from the website. The students can login to the website and see their information and progress of the scholarship. The e grants website is also used for smooth processing and sanction of educational assistance. According to the introduction of e grants in the website, it claims that this project benefited 3 lakhs students across 3463 educational institutions across the Kerala state.
List of Institutions having BSW listed in E grants
Sl.No Name of Institutions District
1 INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY Trivandrum
2 Manam Memorial NSS College, Konni Pathanamthitta
3 Marian College Kuttikkanam Self-finance Idukki
4 KMM College of Arts &Science,Thrikkakara Ernakulam
5 Mar Elias College Kottapady Intake 30 Ernakulam
6 Rajagiri College of Social Science, Rajagiri.P.O. Ernakulam
7 Christ College, Irinjalakkuda Intake 24 Thrissur
8 Ideal College for Advanced Studies Kadakkassery, Thavanur Intake 30 Malappuram
9 Lissah College, Kaithappoyil Kozhikode
In Kerala also, social work courses are taught in various colleges and universities including Mental Health Action Trust (MHAT), Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit etc. Many of social work students who were from economically backward classes got money from E grants and due to the new changes, they lost this and now need to find out money from their own pockets.
One of my friend got 8,000 rupees as grant and it helped him to go for placement. This action of Kerala Government should be changed and other social work institutions should be brought in to the list.
Source: IASSW. 2014. http://ifsw.org/get-involved/global-definition-of-social-work
