NCERT Report on KGBV Schools: Urgent Reforms Needed in Teacher Retention, Infrastructure, Vocational Programs

NEW DELHI, July 30, 2024 – The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a detailed report on Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV), revealing critical issues facing these residential schools for girls from marginalized communities. The “NCERT report on KGBV schools-2022-23” calls for immediate action to address problems in teacher retention, infrastructure, and vocational training programs.

NCERT Report on KGBV Schools

Teacher Shortage and Retention Issues

The NCERT report on KGBV schools highlights a significant lack of permanent teachers:

Only 19% of teachers are regular, full-time staff
Most teachers are on short-term contracts
Just 3% have over 15 years of experience

High teacher turnover is linked to low wages, job insecurity, and remote school locations. To address this, the report recommends increasing salaries to Rs 35,750 for postgraduate teachers and Rs 34,125 for trained graduate teachers in normal areas, with higher pay for difficult locations.

Infrastructure and Facility Shortcomings

Many KGBV schools face serious infrastructure problems:

Only 54.7% of wardens replace beddings every three years as required
Insufficient classrooms, libraries, and laboratories
Lack of permanent cooking spaces in some schools
Inadequate sewage and waste management systems

The NCERT report on KGBV schools emphasizes the need for improved infrastructure to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.

Gender-Biased Vocational Programs

Current vocational training in KGBV schools often reinforces gender stereotypes:

Programs focus on traditionally feminine skills like stitching and knitting
Limited alignment with current market demands

The report calls for a revamp of vocational training to include more diverse and economically valuable skills, breaking away from traditional gender roles.

Funding Utilization and Allocation Challenges

The NCERT report on KGBV schools reveals issues with fund utilization:

Only 56.62% of recurring funds were used in 2020-21
Highest utilization was 73.01% in 2018-19

Recommendations include:

States should release the first installment of funds by May 1
Second installment within 45 days
Increase per-student allocation for better food and facilities

KGBV Schools

The KGBV scheme, part of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, was established in 2004 to support girls from marginalized communities in educationally backward regions. As of 2023:

5,654 KGBV schools sanctioned
4,986 functional
668 non-functional
6.9 lakh girls enrolled in Classes 6-12

Impact

The NCERT report on KGBV schools provides a roadmap for addressing critical issues:

Improving teacher retention
Upgrading infrastructure
Diversifying vocational training
Ensuring timely and adequate funding

Implementation of these recommendations could significantly enhance the quality of education and living conditions in KGBV schools, aligning with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The comprehensive NCERT report on KGBV schools highlights the urgent need for reforms in girls’ education, particularly for marginalized communities. Stakeholders, including government bodies, educators, and local communities, must collaborate to implement these recommendations and secure a better future for girls in India’s educationally backward regions.

For more details, access the full NCERT report on KGBV schools on the official NCERT website.

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