HC issues notice to TN govt, HRD on setting up JNV schools

The Madras High Court today ordered issue of notice to the Tamil Nadu government and the Ministry of Human Resource Development on a PIL seeking to set up Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) schools in the state.
A division bench comprising justices A Selvam and Authinathan ordered notice to the Principal Secretary of Education of Tamil Nadu government, Union HRD Ministry Secretary and JNV Samithi chairman among others on a petition by Kumari Mahasabha Secretary Jayakumar Thomas seeking opening of JNVs in Tamil Nadu.
The bench has also directed them to reply within two weeks.
The petitioner submitted that JNV schools were boarding schools with classes from VI to XII, and rural students were given priority during admissions in these schools.

Besides, no fee is collected from students for classes VI to VIII, while only a nominal fee of Rs 200 is being collected from students of classes IX to XII, he claimed.
He pointed that in its response to a petition, the JNV samithi Chairman had alleged that the Tamil Nadu government did not extend cooperation to open the schools in the state.

"When Kendriya Vidyalayas, where Hindi was being taught were allowed to function, why can't the state permit JNV," the petitioner asked.
Students belonging to SC and ST community are given 15 and 7 per cent reservation quota by JNV, which also provides 33 per cent reservation for girls, he claimed.

The JNVs would provide ample opportunity for talented rural students, and it is not fair to block this opportunity on the grounds that Hindi language was taught in these schools, the petitioner added.