More Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya’s soon in Telangana

Hyderabad: In a move aimed at giving further impetus to girl child education, the Department of School Education has pitched for establishment of more Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) across the State.

The officials of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in a recently held project approval board meeting of SSA in New Delhi have proposed for 110 KGBVs in about backward mandals. A senior official of SSA said that the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) however has shown inclination towards giving about 40 to 50 new KGBVs. During the meeting, the department was told to look out for about two acres of the land.

“We have received land availability from about 22 districts. If the MHRD gives permission, the schools can start functioning in the next academic year itself from a private building,” said a senior official. The KGBVs are the central sponsored scheme exclusively aimed at



giving education to only girl children who fall under below poverty line. There are about 398 KGBVs functioning in the State. Another long pending proposal of the department was upgrading KGBVs till intermediate.

Presently, these schools impart education till class X. By adding intermediate education, the department has been of the view that students can be trained in various courses thus making them skilled and also help them in finding employment.

The officials said lack of junior college section in these schools was resulting in many parents stop further education for their children, have them married or make them stay back at home.

“The Minister for Education Kadiyam Srihari had in the past represented to HRD minister Prakash Javadekar regarding up-gradation of KGBVs till intermediate. Till date there is no response on the proposal ,” said a senior official.