220 children took admission in KVs under PM CARES for Children scheme; highest in MP

NEW DELHI: As many as 220 children have taken admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) under the PM Cares for Children scheme with the maximum number of 68 in Madhya Pradesh, the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan told the Lok Sabha today.

The Ministry of Education listed state-wise KV admissions in 2022-23 under the scheme:

Replying to the question regarding the number of seats freed up in KVs after the cancellation of the MP quota and other quotas in 2022, the education ministry said, “These quotas were over and above the sanctioned class strength and hence no seats have been freed. This will lead to maintaining a healthy pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) and also to achieve desired learning outcomes.”

The education minister was further asked the number of seats left vacant under the PM CARES for Children scheme to which he replied that special provisions have been made in the KVS admission guidelines 2022-23 for admissions to the children who have lost their parent(s) to COVID pandemic, over and above the sanctioned class strength.

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Further, the Ministry was asked whether the Government is considering a different scheme for allotting such Kendriya Vidyalaya seats to vulnerable populations in the subsequent academic years. The education minister responded, “KVS has been providing education to children of marginalized communities, disadvantageous sections of society and economically weaker sections by giving 25% reservation in admission in Class 1.”

Besides, it also provides reservation as per constitutional provisions to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Non Creamy Layer) and reserves seats horizontally for Differently Abled-children at entry stage. 2 seats per section are also reserved for single girl child in Class 1, as per the reply in the Parliament.