NEW DELHI: The HRD ministry is considering evolving a two- or three-slab income group to enable the most economically weaker students to get priority for admissions to the Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs). This could diminish the power of MPs, who are entitled to refer 10 cases each for admission in any academic year to Central schools falling in their constituencies. A ministry official referred to innumerable complaints of misuse of the quota by MPs, ignoring economically weaker students over those belonging to the creamy layer.
The recommended seats are in addition to the sanctioned class strength of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), which operates over 1,000 schools nationwide, with over 12 lakh students. The MP’s special dispensation quota was hiked from six to 10 from this academic calendar. However, economically weaker students will not be eligible for all the 10 seats, but could be limited to three, according to a senior official of the HRD ministry.
Slabs for two or three different income groups, starting from less than Rs 1 lakh will get priority if the plan goes through. The issue would be discussed and taken up at the highest level including the Department–related Standing Committee on Human Resource Development, if required, to ensure unanimous acceptance of MPs. The Kendriya Vidyalayas also have reserved seats for SC,
ST and OBC students.
Former cabinet secretary and head of committee for evolution of new education policy, TSR Subramanian said “This is an extension of our 25 per cent reservation demand for admission to children from economically backward sections in private schools. There is inherent weakness among them, who fail to stand up to the emerging competition in educations, jobs.”
The TSR Subramanian committee, entrusted with preparing a new education policy for India had submitted its report to the government in May this year. The committee suggested measures to improve the education sector that caters to over 300 million students.
KV fees range between just `100 to `300 per month, way behind what public and private schools charge, which in Delhi-NCR averages upwards of `3000 monthly.