Our Correspondent / New Delhi
Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhrial Nishank has said that his ministry is providing support to the States and UTs through Samagra Shiksha Yojana for implementing the various provisions of the RTE Act, including opening or strengthening of schools.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister also said that under erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), till 2017-18 and Samagra Shiksha effective from 2018-19, sanction has been given for 3.64 lakh new elementary schools out of which States and UTs have reported the opening of 3.60 lakh schools.
He also said, under erstwhile Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), till 2017-18 and Samagra Shiksha effective from 2018-19, 12994 new secondary schools have been sanctioned, out of which States and UTs have reported the opening of 12423 new schools, till 31st December last year.
Mr Pokhrial also said that proposals for opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas are considered only when received in the prescribed proforma from the District Administration through the State Government concerned.
The proposals received from various sponsoring authorities for opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas also have to compete among other proposals under the Challenge Method. He also said that there are 1,227 Kendriya Vidyalayas functioning in the country and three abroad.
As for as the Navodaya Vidyalaya Scheme, the Minister said, there are 645 functional Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) in the country.
The scheme provides for opening of one Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in each district of the country for providing good quality education to children predominantly from the rural areas.