Ahmedabad distrct to have 4 model schools

The state government plans to set up 73 model schools in educationally backward talukas of Gujarat. Half the funding for these schools will come from the Union government. In Ahmedabad district, there will be four such schools, one each in Bavla, Ranpur, Sanand and Viramgam talukas.

The Centre has identified 85 educationally backward talukas in the state where such model schools could be set up. But the state government has already started 12 model schools in tribal areas through the tribal development department.

Sources in the state education department said the model schools would be set up on the lines of Kendriya Vidyalayas.
"Each school will have a minimum of 6 acres of land and the expense incurred on infrastructure for each school would come to Rs3.02 crore. All the schools will have girls' hostels. The focus is on encouraging girls to go in for secondary education," an official said. As regards funding for the schools, the official said that earlier 75% of the funds were to come from the Union government and 25 % from the state governments.

"But as per the 12th Five Year Plan, the state and Union governments will each bear 50% of the financial burden," the official said. In another development, 326 schools in the state will be covered under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).