Uttar Pradesh to expand Sarvodaya Vidyalayas to 120

The Uttar Pradesh government is expanding its Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Vidyalayas to improve education for underprivileged children. By the school year 2024-25, the number of these schools will rise from 93 to 120. Currently, 100 of these schools are operating, with 70 for boys and 30 for girls. Each school can accommodate 490 students. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sees education as a vital tool for social change. He has directed officials to upgrade the schools and ensure they are functioning well. To improve teaching quality, well-qualified educators will be hired, and a 15-day training program for principals and teachers will be introduced. The initiative also aims to create a supportive learning environment. To achieve this, 43 schools are now affiliated with the CBSE board, and 57 schools follow the UP Board curriculum. Modern facilities such as smart classrooms and computer labs have been established. The government provides free education and resources for students from economically weaker sections. This includes residential facilities, uniforms, textbooks, and meals. The admission process has a reservation system: 60% of seats are for Scheduled Castes, 25% for Other Backward Classes, and 15% for the General category. Families earning up to Rs 46,080 in rural areas or Rs 56,460 in urban areas can apply for admission. For the upcoming financial year, the government has set aside Rs 363.91 crore for this initiative. So far, Rs 242.39 crore has been used, benefiting 32,538 students.