T Gopalakrishna, Deputy Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Regional Office, Hyderabad has spent 34 years with JNVs. Twenty years as a teacher and fourteen years as a principal and Assistant Commissioner. In an exclusive interview to Brainfeed Magazine, he speaks on the role of JNVs in nation building.
1. Tell us about the core philosophy of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas?
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) run on the core philosophy aimed at providing quality education, with a modern educational experience embedded in cultural richness.
JNVs take a unique approach to learning, by incorporating elements of nature and environment into their educational framework. Catering to children hailing from remote and disadvantaged backgrounds, JNVs are committed to holistic development.
Unlike many educational institutions where exams and marks are the primary focus; in JNVs, these are regarded as by-products of the holistic development of the child. These co- educational residential schools cater to children from Grades 6 to 12, providing quality education for both boys and girls on the same campus. Each school is spread over 30 acres of land and curated in a manner that is conducive for learning.
2. What sets JNVs apart from other institutions?
Holistic development has been an integral part of the JNV philosophy since its inception even when these terms were not in vogue. There has always been the seamless integration of sports and arts into the curriculum. Every teacher at JNV is equipped to support this approach and these aspects have been embedded in the curriculum since as early as 1985-86. All JNVs follow the CBSE curriculum with expansive campuses and dedicated sports facilities. With two Physical Education teachers, one for girls and one for boys, the school begins as early as 5 a.m. An interesting facet is that the same teachers who are engaged in classroom teaching also take on the role of housemasters and housemistresses to cater to the residential needs of the students.
3. How are rural and poor students integrated into JNVs?
Every academic year, approximately 52,000 to 53,000 seats are allocated impassioning around 23 lakhs students to compete through an entrance test, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST), for admission. Notably, a majority of these seats, that is 75%, are specifically reserved for the students residing in rural areas, with additional allocations for girls and other deserving candidates. There is a dynamic reservation policy. This reservation of seats is based on the 2021 Census. At least one-third of the total seats are allocated to girls. Rural open seats are assigned based on the rural population of specific blocks. There is also a provision for reserving seats for differently abled children (Divyang) following the norms set by the Government of India.
4. How are students of JNVs faring?
Each year, around 20-25 alumni from our schools successfully clear the UPSC examination. Equally notable is the fact that a substantial cohort, numbering to about 1,000 to 2,000 students, secures admissions into the prestigious IITs. Furthermore, the establishment of our regionspecific Centers of Excellence, enhances the educational landscape. There are 11 Centers of Excellence. These serve as exclusive hubs for the best-performing students, fostering an environment of exceptional learning. Beyond this, various external agencies also extend their invaluable services to our students, further augmenting the growth opportunities of our students. An impressive highlight is that nearly 98% of students hailing from the Bangalore center successfully secure admissions into the esteemed IITs every year, underscoring the remarkable caliber and quality of education that JNVs provide.
5. How is technology integrated into the curriculum?
We engage in meaningful partnerships with important technology organizations, including the American India Foundation, Avanthi Fellows, Tata Motors, and IBM. These collaborations serve as avenues for our technology integration efforts, enabling us to provide students with enhanced learning experiences. Also, in each of our schools, there is a smart room, consisting of all facilities.
6. What measures are being taken with regards to Teacher Professional Development?
Navodaya Leadership Institutes are pivotal centers for the thorough training of our educators. The programmes of these training centers are thoughtfully structured across various tiers: starting from the school level, extending to clusters, further progressing to the regional level, and finally culminating at the national level.
Each school is spread over 30 acres of land and curated in a manner that is conducive for learning
7. What are the measures taken for skill development and innovation opportunities?
Our schools are equipped with a diverse range of facilities that cater to various aspects of skill development and innovation. We house Incubation Centers that serve as hubs for fostering creative ideas and entrepreneurial ventures. For example, the ATAL Tinkering Labs enhance the facet of innovation, providing students with opportunities to explore and experiment. Moreover, the presence of Skill Hub Centers plays a crucial role in preparing students for a career in the IT industry and other related fields. A prime example of this is the establishment of specialized centers that offer training in areas such as data entry, aimed at empowering girl students with practical skills. Another example of our approach to skill development education is the specialized knowledge we offer about automobiles, to our students. We have setup specific centers in our school that provide handson training in the field of automobile engineering and assembly. These facilities enable students to gain practical experience and expertise in this important domain, further enriching their future job readiness and employment prospects.
8. How will you define a JNV student?
At the heart of our educational outlook lies a distinctive model inspired by the Gurukulam system. As a result, the way our students conduct themselves, both in their behavior and communication style, is of great importance to us. Evidently, the interactions among our students mirror the values inherent in the Gurukulam tradition. This educational approach fosters not only academic excellence but also cultivates physical and emotional strength, equipping our students to maintain composure and exhibit exemplary behavior.
We engage in meaningful partnerships with important technology organizations, including the American India Foundation, Avanthi Fellows, Tata Motors, and IBM
9. Tell us a little about the funds spent on children and the ‘Migration’ program in schools?
Around 1.25 lakhs is spent on the educational and residential needs of a child per year. Children are also admitted through lateral entry in class 9 and 11 with the involvement of the CBSE. The distinctive aspect of the Navodaya Vidyalaya Scheme involves the movement of students from one Navodaya Vidyalaya situated in a specific linguistic region to another Vidyalaya located in a different linguistic region. This initiative aims to foster an appreciation for the rich diversity and pluralism that characterizes India’s culture and people. As per this scheme, during the Class-IX level, 30% of students from one JNV are selected to migrate to another JNV for a single academic year. This migration primarily occurs between districts where Hindi is spoken and those where it is not. Commencing in 1988-89, with only 2 JNVs and 31 migrated students, this program has remarkably evolved
As per the scheme, during the Class-IX level, 30% of students from one JNV is selected to migrate to another JNV for a single academic year
Here we plan to admit CWSN students and prepare them for the Paralympics, in their chosen events. Presently, one remarkable young girl, is representing India on the international stage in the field of shooting
over the last many decades, emerging as a success story in the realm of Indian school education. The selection of students, for this program, is first done on voluntary basis. If the 30% figure is not met, then student selection for the program is done through lots. The parents of students are prepped and motivated beforehand about this program. This migration program, entailing the exchange of 30% of students between linked JNVs of diverse linguistic regions at the Class-IX level for a year, stands as a pivotal blueprint for promoting national integration. This program serves as a conduit for implementing the Three Language Formula. The third language instruction correlates with the students’ migration pattern. In districts where Hindi is the prevalent language, the third language taught in JNVs corresponds to the language spoken by the 30% of students migrating from non-Hindi regions. This third language becomes compulsory for all students in these districts. In contrast, in non-Hindi regions, the Navodaya Vidyalayas follow the conventional Three Language Formula, encompassing the regional language, Hindi, and English.
10. Can you tell us about any other interventions for Children with Special Needs (CWSN)?
In Hyderabad, a CWSN (Children With Special Needs) Center is in the process of being formally established. Here we plan to admit CWSN students and prepare them for Paralympics. Presently, one remarkable young girl, is representing India on the international stage in the field of shooting. The forthcoming CWSN Center further reflects JNV’s dedication to providing specialized support and opportunities for individuals with special needs, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and excel. On the other initiatives, The North South Foundation is doing assessments every week on situation and project-based thinking. It is hoped that this initiative contributes to further development of critical thinking. There is also a TATA initiative on mental health. Each JNV school has a male and female councilor, for the mental health needs of children, already.
