SRINAGAR: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the opening of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across the country, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced. Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Vaishnaw said that seven of the new schools will be sponsored by the Union Home Ministry, while the remaining will be taken up by various state governments. With this expansion, the total number of Kendriya Vidyalayas in the country will rise to 1,345 from the present 1,288. KVs, run under the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, cater primarily to children of central government employees, defence personnel and other eligible groups. They are considered among the most sought-after government schools due to their uniform curriculum and academic standards.