Ensuring that children of government employees do not face educational disadvantages. That’s the noble mission of the Kendriya Vidyalaya. This Kendriya Vidyalaya is part of a larger system. It is a system of central government schools in India. The Ministry of Education governs it.
Let’s step back in time to 1963. This was the year the Kendriya Vidyalaya system came into being. It was initially known as Central Schools. The aim was clear. Educate the children of Indian Defence Services personnel. These personnel were often posted to remote locations. Later, the service extended to all central government employees.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan oversees the schools. Its headquarters are in New Delhi. The Minister in Charge of the Ministry of Education chairs it. The Kendriya Vidyalaya system began with just 20 schools. Today, there are 1,256 schools. This makes it one of the world’s largest school chains. It is the largest chain of schools in India.
These schools share a common syllabus. They offer bilingual instruction in English and Hindi. Sanskrit is a compulsory subject from classes VI to VIII. It is an optional subject until class XII. A unique aspect of Kendriya Vidyalaya culture is the daily prayer. It includes the verse Daya kar daan vidya ka humein paramatma dena. It translates to O God be merciful and grant us the gift of knowledge. This instills discipline and seeks divine guidance.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya system has a three-level administration. The Commissioner of KVS holds real working power. Additional Commissioners and Joint Commissioners assist. Each region has a Deputy Commissioner. They are accompanied by Assistant Commissioners. Every Kendriya Vidyalaya has individual principals. They administer the schools. They work alongside a Vice-Principal and Head Master or Mistress.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya also has committees. These committees ensure the holistic development of students. They also maintain the school compound. The most important committee is the VMC. This stands for Vidyalaya Management Committee. It heads all other committees.
Kendriya Vidyalayas are spread among 25 regions. Each region is headed by a deputy commissioner. Three Kendriya Vidyalayas are located outside India. They are in Kathmandu, Moscow, and Tehran. They are situated inside Indian Embassies. The Ministry of External Affairs bears their expenditures.
Tuition fees are charged at Kendriya Vidyalayas. The proceeds are spent on development. This is known as the Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi. Certain students are exempt from tuition fees. These include students from Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Also children of KVS employees. Girls who are their parents only child from class VI onward are also exempt.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Gole Market in Central Delhi is notable. It upgraded to E-Classroom and e-Learning processes. It implemented Smart Boards in the classroom. This school produces an annual magazine called Vidyalaya Patrika. The KVS is known for its holistic focus. It offers a wide range of sports, games, activities, and subjects.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya system has received many awards. These are from the Government of India. They include the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar in 2017. Also, the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar on Hindi Diwas in 2018–19.
So as we stand here before Kendriya Vidyalaya let us appreciate its commitment. It is committed to providing accessible quality education. It empowers students to excel. It prepares them to contribute to society.