The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) scheme was launched by the Government of India in August, 2004 for setting up residential schools at upper primary level for girls belonging predominantly to the SC, ST, OBC and minorities in different areas. The scheme of the KGBV ran as a separate scheme but in harmony with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Since 1st April, 2007 this scheme merged with the SSA programme as a separate component of that programme.
The scheme was applicable since inception in 2004, in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) where the rural female literacy is below the national average and gender gap in literacy is more than the national average. Among these blocks, schools were set up in areas with concentration of tribal population/SC, ST, OBC and minority populations, with low female literacy and/or a large number of girls out of school.
Gender disparities still persist in rural areas and among disadvantaged communities. Looking at the enrollment trends, there remain significant gaps in the enrollment of girls at the elementary level as compared to boys, especially at the upper primary levels. The objective of KGBV is to ensure access and quality education to the girls of disadvantaged groups of society by setting up residential schools at upper primary level.
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