Union Human Resource Development Minister Kabil Sibal is planning to scrap the discretionary quota system that allows his ministry, MPs and other influential quarters to recommend over 1,200 candidates for admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Incidentally, the move comes after he was deluged with requests for admissions soon after taking over as HRD Minister last year, only to realise that his predecessor Arjun Singh had exhausted 1,000 of the 1,200 seats available under the discretionary quota just before demitting office. Ultimately, Sibal’s office had to refuse admission requests coming from even the PMO.

The HRD Minister presides over the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) as its Chairman.

Sibal plans to replace the recommendation provision with a set of new criteria, that are currently being formulated, to ensure that deserving cases get in and to ensure equity.

According to sources in the ministry, this year too Sibal received many admission requests ahead of the new academic session but refused to entertain all saying the quota system was being scrapped and the KV admission process would be revised. Even MPs coming with requests are being turned away.

While whether or not MPs agree with Sibal’s plan remains to be seen, many admit the move will ease the pressure on them as currently they can pick just two requests from among the hundreds they receive, which ends up antagonising the rest.

Others wish the government would work towards setting up more Kendriya Vidyalayas. “We get several requests from government employees seeking admission for their wards. Now some of these are very deserving cases. The fact that there is such high demand reflects the need for many more KVs. The government should work towards filling this gap instead,” says an MP whose admission request has been turned down.

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