1,000 more schools in educationally backward areas okayed
By IANSFriday, April 23, 2010
NEW DELHI - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Friday approved the setting up of 1,000 additional model schools by state governments in educationally backward blocks (EBBs), taking the total number of such schools to be established to 3,500.
The CCEA had approved the setting up of 2,500 schools by the state governments in November 2008 at an estimate of Rs.9,322 crore during the 11th five year plan. Of this, the central government’s share is Rs.7,457 crore.
The current proposal of the additional 1,000 schools has been estimated to cost Rs.3,304 crore with the central share of Rs.2,478 crore.
Thus, the total estimated central share for establishing 3,500 schools in the government sector is Rs.9,935 crore during the 11th five year plan.
“Each school will have 560 students. Therefore, the total number of students in the 3,500 schools will be 19.60 lakh. The programme will be implemented through the societies set up by the state governments for this purpose,” an official statement said.
“The present proposal is meant for 3,500 EBBs in 27 states and union territories,” it added.
The schools will have classes six to 12 or nine to 12 and have standards equivalent or better than Kendriya Vidyalayas.
“The medium of instruction and affiliating board will be decided by the state governments,” the statement said.
“The model school scheme is expected to provide a major fillip to availability of good quality schools in rural areas, thereby nurturing talent in such areas. Every EBB will be eligible for one model school under the state government,” it added.
