Lok Sabha Question No. 2090 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: SC/ST and Marginalized Group Students  in KGBVs
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai, Shri Navaskani K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2090

ANSWERED ON 09/12/2024

## SC/ST AND MARGINALIZED GROUP STUDENTS IN KGBVs

2090.   Shri Navaskani K:

Shri Selvam G:

Shri C N Annadurai:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  students  from  Scheduled  Castes,  Scheduled  Tribes  and  other  marginalized groups enrolled in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs);
- (b) the special measures are being taken by the Government to increase enrollment from these communities;
- (c) the number of teachers currently employed in KGBVs;
- (d) whether  any  specific  training  programme  has  been  designed  by  the  Government  to  train teachers in these schools;
- (e) the  number  of  KGBVs  established  in  aspirational  districts  and  the  status  of  enrollment  of children therein; and
- (f) whether  any  health  and  nutrition  facilities  like  Mid-day-meals,  medical  check-ups,  being provided by the Government in these vidyalayas, if so, the current status thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a): Category-wise enrolment in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) as on 20.11.2024 is as under:

| Total KGBVs functional   | SC       | ST       | OBC      | BPL    | Others   |
|--------------------------|----------|----------|----------|--------|----------|
| 5,133                    | 1,93,302 | 1,83,440 | 2,59,092 | 46,858 | 28,761   |

(Source: Prabandh Portal)

(b): Samagra Shiksha supports States/UTs in universalizing elementary education, including girls' education. These include residential school facilities for girls in habitations un-served by regular schools, emphasis on recruitment of female teachers, provision of free text-books, uniforms, etc. Further, States/UTs also conduct special enrolment drives, awareness campaign on child marriage, community involvement, extra-curricular activities to retain girls in KGBVs. (c):  As informed by States/UTs, there are 24,177 teachers in KGBVs. (d):  Under  Samagra  Shiksha,  the  National  Initiative  for  School  Heads  and  Teachers  Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) is an integrated teacher training program aimed at equipping teachers and head teachers, including teachers of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), to foster critical thinking among students and improve the quality of education and learning outcomes. NISHTHA has now been expanded to cover teachers at all stages of schooling. As part of NISHTHA, teachers are oriented on various aspects such as learning outcomes, competency-based learning and assessment, learner-centered pedagogy, school safety and security, personal and social qualities, inclusive education, and the use of ICT in teaching, including artificial intelligence. Additionally, the training covers health and well-being (including yoga), new initiatives in school  education  (e.g.,  library,  eco-club, youth  club,  kitchen  garden),  school  leadership development, environmental concerns, pre-school and pre-vocational education, and school-based assessments, all delivered in a joyful and engaging manner. (e):  A total of 1,114 KGBVs are functional in aspirational districts with an enrolment of 1,81,822 girls.

(f):  Since, KGBVs are residential schools, among other facilities, nutritious food is provided to the girls  of  KGBV.  Further,  there  are  provisions  made  for  medical  care/contingency  in  the  Samagra Shiksha scheme. Financial assistance is provided to the States/UTs for making adequate provisions for  medical  care,  managing  any  medical  contingency,  menstrual  hygiene  etc.  of  girls  residing  in KGBVs.

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