Notice issued to state on opening of JNV schools

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 the state. 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. 

The JNVs would provide ample opportunity for talented rural students, and it is not fair to block this opportunity on the ground that Hindi has been taught in these schools, the petitioner argued.