Established in 1986, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) is more of unique academic concept than a Utopian dream come true. The brainchild of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the concept envisaged in the country’s New Education Policy was to create a society of intellectuals, artisans and artistes drawn from the very roots of the Indian society—the countryside. The students are selected from among talented, creative children residing in the rural and backward areas of the country who must also possess an urge for hard work.

The 588 JNV schools spread across 27 states (excluding Tamil Nadu as the state expressed unwillingness to introduce the three-language medium of instructions) and seven Union Territories teach in three-language media from Classes VI to XII. Admissions to the schools are based on a common entrance test called ‘JNVST’ (Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test), which is conducted on the second Sunday of February every year.
 
In an exclusive interview to TCG, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Hyderabad, regional Deputy Commissioner V Nageswar Rao, said: Everything including uniforms, books, notebooks, food and boarding expenses are free for the students up to the end of Class VIII. However, from Class IX to XII, a nominal fee of Rs. 200 per month is charged from the students. Nay, even this fee is not meant for girl students, physically handicapped and for children belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribe classes and those belonging to Below Poverty Line families. The fee thus collected remains in the school as Vikas Nidhi for use as funds for excursions, picnics or other development activities.

What is so unique about the scheme and how is it different from Kendriya Vidyalayas?

Why, they are absolutely first generation learners. In most cases, these students’ parents have not visited any school or college. Next the JNV students, unlike those of KV students, learn the value of labour, national integration and self-service even while creating assets for the school. KVs are meant to facilitate the wards of Central Service officials whereas the students of JNVs are drawn from the native rural areas. Though the syllabus adopted in both the schools is that of the Central Board of Secondary Education’s, the JNV products far outshine those of KVs.

How do you assess the social relevance of the JNVs products?

It is for all to see that the JNV students have proved themselves as catalysts of social change in varied fields of services and professions. K. Veera Raghava, a product of Guntur Navodaya Vidyalaya who secured 81st rank in the Indian Civil Service in 2006 is presently the sub-collector of Madurai district in Tamil Nadu.

 Even Dr N.V Prasad, a 2003 batch IAS officer and the Deputy Commissioner of Gadag district in Karnataka is the product of JNV in Chittoor district. Mr Sailendra Kumar, the Superintendent of Police of Mandia district is a JNV product from Ranchi. G Deepti, an IFS officer, is the product of JNV at Pedavegi in West Godavari district. Though we do not have an official documented list of such success stories, we can surely quote scores of such exemplary services by our students.

Navodayas organise regional science congresses annually. In November 2008, the IIT Chennai was host to the JNV Science Congress. The Hyderabad region conducted the Congress in 2006 which was attended by Prof Syed Hasnain and Prof Yash Pal among others.

How did the students of the region fare academically?

 The Hyderabad region comprising Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Union Territories of Pondicherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep recorded an average pass percentage of 99.7 in Class X examination and 98.2 in Class XII examination of 2008-2009 academic session. The pass percentage of JNV students in the region evinced a consistent pass of 91% or above in both Class X and XII examinations in the past 10 years. Among the students of the region who got a chance to visit Japan on a study-cum-cultural exchange programme include Vanaja, Class XI of JNV, Rangareddi District, Vamsi Priya (XI) of JNV, Nalgonda, Raaga Deepika (X) of JNV Nellore, K Monika Naidu (X)  of JNV Vizianagaram, E Lakshma Reddy (XI) JNV Medak and Abhijit Pandey (X), JNV Warangal.

What is this migration scheme in JNVs?

The migration scheme prevalent in JNVs helps develop national integration, tolerance and social harmony among students of different socio-cultural backgrounds. Under the scheme, the students of one JNV located in a Hindi speaking state are migrated to another JNV in a non-Hindi speaking state and vice-versa for one full academic year during Class IX.

Navodaya Vidya Samiti Assistant commissioners K Sadagopan and R Sreenivasan who were present at the interview gave substantial material inputs.