Smt. Sonia Gandhi Inaugurates 31 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas
Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, National Advisory Council today inaugurated 31 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), today. These recently constructed buildings of JNVs are in States across the country, in Kerala, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Gandhi congratulated the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, and also stated that this should also be an occasion for them to make plans and take a pledge for the future. She also underlined that education provided to children must be in accordance with the changes happening in the world especially with regard to new technology and new techniques.
Smt. Gandhi emphasized that quality education is a right of all children. She expressed her concern as to why other government schools are not as good as Navodaya Vidyalayas. She pointed out that one fourth of the teachers are absent in these schools and while children do take admission here, many drop out, especially from the weaker sections. She stated that the government is giving scholarships for school students, the information regarding which must reach all. She added that other government schools must learn from JNVs.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal, stated that the late Rajiv Gandhi considered providing quality education for deprived children his foremost duty. It was in this context that the government decided to open a JNV in every district of the country as part of the National Policy on Education, 1986. Today there are 593 JNVs in the country in which 2 lakh children are studying, he added.
The Minister stated that to encourage children showing aptitude in sports, culture and in vocational streams, special Navodya Vidyalayas are proposed to be opened. He pointed out that already Navodaya Vidyalayas are considered at par with the better schools of the country and alumni of these schools are excelling in professions.
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are fully residential co-educational institutions providing educating from Class VI to XII and affiliated to CBSE. At least 75 per cent seats in a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya are filled by candidates from rural areas. Reservation of seats for children belonging to SCs and STs is provided in proportion to their population in the concerned district. One third of total seats are filled by girls. Out of over two lakh students in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, 77.84 per cent are from rural areas, 36.67 per cent are girls and 41.61 per cent belong to SC/ST categories.