MPs get back their KV students quota after protest

NEW DELHI: The Centre has reinstated MPs’ quota in Kendriya Vidyalaya admissions following intense protests from them. This will mean that every year, each MP can nominate two students for admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Making the announcement in the Rajya Sabha, HRD minister Kapil Sibal said, “I have decided in the light of the sentiments expressed by members, not just of the Rajya Sabha but also the Lok Sabha, to restore the two nominations to each Member of Parliament. But as far as my own quota is concerned, I have surrendered it... I have surrendered both my minister’s quota as well as my personal MP quota. But I have restored it for all of you.”

The decision to restore the quota was taken on Thursday. “I held an urgent meeting with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan yesterday and we have decided to restore the provision,” Mr Sibal said.

This prerogative had been scrapped by the ministry following the enactment of the Right to Education Act, which came into force on April 1.

The law sets aside 25% seats for disadvantaged children in the three km radius of the school. This provision did away with need to allow each MP to nominate two students from certain sections of society to Kendriya Vidayalayas.

The minister had argued that against 2,800 students that MPs could nominate in 977 Kendriya Vidyalaya in the country. The Act now provides for reservation to 25,000 students (considering 10 lakh students study in Kendriya Vidyalayas).