KGBV School: Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya

The KGBV or Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme was introduced by the Indian government to improve access to and retention of education for girls from minority backgrounds. Residential schools for girls at the upper primary through senior secondary levels were established as part of the programme in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBB) towns all across the nation.

The programme offers education to girls between the ages of 10 and 18 who are members of underprivileged communities – Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Minority communities. It is named after the great Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as she actively participated in social & political movements as well as the struggle for women’s rights.

KGBV School Overview

One of the primary goals of KGBV School is to eliminate gender and social gaps as well as discrimination in education at all levels of the educational system. In order to ensure a smooth transition for girls from elementary to secondary and up to class XII, the Scheme now provides access and quality education to girls from underprivileged groups in the age range of 10-18 years aspiring to study in Classes VI to XII.

Such children generally belong to SC, ST, OBC, Minority communities, and BPL families. Every Educationally Backward Block (EBB) in the KGBV is allowed to have at least one residential school for girls in Classes VI through XII.

The KGBV plan was implemented in Assam in 2007–2008. A total of 81 KGBV Type-II & III locations have been opened since the program’s commencement. It covers 7688 students throughout 80 EBBs and 1 town in 28 Assam districts.

Types of KGBV School

There are two categories of KGBV Schools. In the following, the two categories of the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya are explained along with their common and differentials features.

KGBV School Coverage 2022-23

An elaborate coverage that mentioned a few changes in the sanction has been out for the year 2022-2023.

KGBV Type-II: All 14 KGBVs sanctioned are already operationalized in rented premises. At present, a total of 978 children are enrolled out of a total seat capacity of 1400. In 5 KGBVs Class: IX started in the year 2022-23.

KGBV Type-III: All 67 KGBVs sanctioned have already operationalized out of which 57 KGBVs are in permanent buildings, 10 in rented premises and 2 in rent-free accommodation. At present, a total of 6710 children are enrolled out of a total seat capacity of 10050. In 57 KGBVs Class: XI started in the year 2022-23.

Staff Allocation in KGBV School

The staff has been allocated according to shifts and designations in KGBV School. The classification of the same has been mentioned in a tabular form below:

Monthly Staff Remuneration in KGBV School

The staff in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya is given a monthly remuneration. This differs with one’s post, shift timings and designation of the staff.

Eligibility Criteria for Selection of Children in KGBV School

The slightly older girls who are not in school and did not finish elementary school (10+) are the focus at the primary level. The goal at the upper elementary level is to enrol girls, particularly teenage girls who can’t attend conventional schools. The major goal of the scheme is to give access to underprivileged groups of girls in EBBs who have been prohibited to get enrolled in school despite the efforts of other government initiatives. This is usually the cause of prolonged socioeconomic, cultural, and geographical reasons.

Reservation Policy in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya

Given the targeted worldview of the scheme, girls from SC, ST, OBC, or other minority communities would make up 75% of the enrollment in such residential schools. Secondarily, girls from households with incomes below the poverty line are accepted after this. Special needs girls are given priority. Girls from Access-less Habitations (where there is no primary school within a 1-kilometer radius) and girls from villages where there is no upper primary school within a 3-kilometer radius.

Admission Process in KGBV School

Prior to the start of a new academic session, admission begins. Admission is considered based on seat availability. If there are more girls than the KGBV can accommodate, a priority list will be created, and a second list will be made as soon as seats become available.

Motivational activities are conducted in small groups as soon as girls are admitted to KGBV. This is done to evaluate their learning levels and place them in proper grades. The girls are enrolled in classes based on their skill levels. Bridging programs are offered to girls who need additional attention to reach the VI standard level.

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