Those belonging to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, other backward class and below poverty line categories would have to pay just Rs 25 per month.

However, a separate (read higher) fee structure would be chalked out for management-quota students.

The Centre and the private entity would sign a contract for 10 years, with the former taking care of the expenditure incurred on students admitted under government quota through advance payment.

While the government would share 25 per cent of the expenses on resources, the private sector would be required to provide basic facilities including arranging land for the school.

The role of the state governments concerned would be vital in facilitating availability of land for setting up the schools and “consider providing financial support beyond the initial 10-year period, which is committed by the Central government”.

“It would also be requested to provide uniforms, textbooks and midday meals as applicable in government schools. It may also consider providing transport subsidy or free transport to students to come from different parts of the blocks to the school. However, it would not be mandatory for the private entity to sign an agreement with the state government,” added official sources.

Secretary of school and mass education department Usha Padhee said Odisha, which has 314 blocks, already boasts of a model school in each of its 173 educationally backward blocks under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Sikshya Abhiyan.

“The remaining 141 blocks are non-educationally backward and we expect they will get a model school each under the RAV scheme. However, things will become clear after May 26 when we attend a approval board meeting in Delhi regarding this project with reference to Odisha,” she added.