HRD, Railway Ministries sign MoU for educational infrastructure on railway land

New Delhi, Feb 16(ANI): Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry and Railways Ministry on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop educational infrastructure on railway land across the country.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal.

The MoU for the HRD Ministry was signed by Anshu Vaish, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy for matters related to school education and by Vibha Puri Das, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education for matters relating to higher education.

On behalf of the Railways Ministry, it was signed by A.K. Goel Member (Staff) of the Railway Board.

As per the MoU, the two ministries will strive to develop educational infrastructure in the form of around 50 Kendriya Vidyalayas in civil sector (about 20 during the 11th Plan and the balance during the 12th Plan), and ten residential schools on the pattern of Navodaya Vidayalayas (to be set up by Railways Ministry in collaboration with HRD Ministry on mutually agreed terms).

The development of educational infrastructure would include new facilities, which will include upgradation of existing educational and technical institutions being managed by Railways for which HRD Ministry would provide necessary assistance and know how in the interest of improving over all quality of education.

For the achievement of the objectives outlined in the MoU, the two ministries will constitute a high powered working group, consisting of senior officials and experts to work out a road map for viability and feasibility of upgradation of existing and development of new educational and technical institutions on Railway land within the framework of existing norms and policies. ANI)