Chandigarh: The Punjab government has sanctioned Rs.23.73 crore (Rs.237.3 million) for construction of 21 model schools in educationally backward blocks, a State Minister said here on Sunday.

"Current academic year is declared as a 'qualitative year' to bring out educational reforms in the state schools. These model schools will be set up on the pattern of the Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in 21 educationally backward blocks spread across the state," said Upinderjit Kaur, Punjab Education Minister.

"These schools would have infrastructure and facilities equivalent to the standards of the Kendriya Vidyalayas."

The 21 schools will come up in seven districts of Bathinda, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Patiala and Mansa.

"The central government has also approved the proposal for setting up 21 hostels for girls in these blocks. They will give us Rs.21 lakh (Rs.2.1 million) to set up each hostel and will share the costs with the state government in the ratio of 90:10," Kaur said. IANS