Quality does not mean exclusion here

Updated on: Tuesday, August 03, 2010

The Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) schools have always had in place a system of education that combine ideals of quality education and access to all without discrimination.

Very often, children of Group D government employees and jawans study along with those of senior officials in KV schools. V. Meenakshi, principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya (Malleswaram), told The Hindu that children at KV schools come from a variety of backgrounds. “This is the unique quality of our institutions. Many parents prefer to admit their children in our institutions, as they want them to be rooted to reality. Children will not be insulated from reality, like those in the elite, private schools,” she said. This, she added, ensures all-round development of the child.

Chandrakanth K. from the Archaeological Survey of India agreed. “I admitted my daughter in KV mainly because she will get to interact with those from all strata of society. Teachers here do not distinguish between the children and all are treated equally,” he said.

Harshita Vijayakumar, whose husband works in the police department, said that she was keen on admitting her three-year-old son to a KV. “The children here grow up with the right values and outlook towards life. Also, nothing can be said about the excellent infrastructure at KV schools. At KV institutions, quality is never compromised,” she said.

However, there have been stray cases when a few parents were concerned about their wards. “These instances are very rare. Mostly children of government employees are admitted to KV. In case they are apprehensive, for whatever the reason, we counsel the parents and explain to them the values of KV,” Ms. Meenakshi added.

Nirmala Mohanan, Education Officer, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghatan, Bangalore Region, said that the KV institutions were pioneers in the field of education in the country.

The schools have been following the principles of the RTE long before the Act was passed. She said that for classes one to eight, no tuition fee is collected, only developmental fee. No fee is collected from girl students and at least two seats per section are reserved for girls.

Quality does not mean exclusion here

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