Asking the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, KVS, to be a role model for neighbourhood schools,the Prime Minister today,however, expressed concern over the fact that the dropout rates in schools remain high after the elementary level.

Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, KVS, in New Delhi, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the major concerns relating to equity also remain to be addressed. He said, as the government is moving forward in tackling these challenges in the 12th Five- Year Plan, KVS can help in a major way in setting standards and benchmarks for schools that are situated in the area around them.

Asking the KVS system to find ways and means of effectively fulfilling these exceptations, Dr.Singh said that ever since the UPA government has come to power in 2004, the investment in education has been increased on an unprecedented scale.

He said that the government is committed to ensure that students from the weaker sections of the society and the less developed regions also get adequate access to educational opportunities.

Universal access to primary education is important and the Right to Education Act ensures that every child up to 8th class gets free education. The mid day meal scheme for 11 crore school children every day has also contributed towards retaining student strength.

The Prime minsiter said, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghathan that imparts education to over 11 lakh students and with a commendable girl student ratio of 43 percent has contributed handsomely to nation building.