HRD ministry proposes bidding process for PPP model schools

The government proposes to select private participants in the public-private partnership model schools through a bidding process, which could raise the cost of education at these schools aimed at achieving Right To Education objectives of the government.

The ministry plans to set up 2,500 model schools for achieving RTE objectives in non-educationally backward blocks.

Under the scheme, the selection of PPP mode will be done for model schools through a bidding process in which each bidder will have to provide details about their financial and technical capabilities.

The evaluation of bids would be based on the bidder's track record in the field of education, financial standing and commitment and preparedness to provide necessary infrastructure and governance structure.

The model schools are to be set up on the Kendriya Vidalaya (KV) model with infrastructure and faculty as per norms of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.

Each selected private entity has to enter into a concession agreement with the Government of India to ensure quality education in these schools. The concession agreement would be enforced by regular inspections, audit and monitoring for quality assurance. The financial support under the Scheme is conditional on fulfillment of performance parameters that seek to ensure the quality of education in these schools.

Such partnership will be helpful in achieving the objectives of the RTE Act by providing quality schools in educationally backward block, thereby helping ensure free and compulsory education to every child up to the elementary level, minister of state for HRD Shashi Tharoor informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today.