Cabinet approves setting up of 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas in the uncovered districts of the country
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) in districts that currently lack such schools. These fully residential, co-educational institutions aim to provide quality modern education to talented children, primarily from rural areas, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds.
Key Highlights
Financial Investment
- Total Budget: ₹2359.82 crore over five years (2024-2029).
- Capital Expenditure: ₹1944.19 crore.
- Operational Costs: ₹415.63 crore.
Educational and Employment Benefits
- Student Impact: Each NV will accommodate 560 students, benefiting 15,680 students across 28 schools.
- Employment Generation:
- Direct permanent jobs: 1,316 positions.
- Additional opportunities for local vendors, service providers, and construction workers.
Advancing Rural Education
- Navodaya Vidyalayas focus on classes VI to XII with admissions based on a competitive selection test.
- Approximately 49,640 students join NVs annually in Class VI.
Current Status and Achievements
- Existing NVs: 661 sanctioned, with 653 functional.
- Inclusivity: High enrollment rates for girls (42%), SC (24%), ST (20%), and OBC (39%) students.
- Academic Excellence: NVs consistently outperform other educational systems in CBSE board exams.
National Education Policy (NEP) Alignment
- Almost all NVs are designated as PM Shri schools, exemplifying the implementation of NEP 2020.
- NVs serve as model institutions for educational excellence across the country.
These new schools will enhance access to quality education, create employment, and contribute significantly to the overall development of rural communities.
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