The Kerala government has officially enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme of the Central government after almost two years of opposition to the scheme alignment with the National Education Policy ( NEP 2020 ).
General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty announced the decision and said that Kerala would sign the necessary memorandum of understanding to receive the pending Central funds that were to be used in school improvements, teacher salaries and student grants. The minister was keen to point out that this step was purely a practical one and that Kerala would not undermine the current education policy in which decentralization of curriculum and regional freedom are encouraged.
In an attempt to improve infrastructure, enhance digital learning and inclusive education, the PM SHRI scheme is a scheme introduced by the Union Ministry of Education to transform over 14,500 schools in India into Kendriya Vidyalaya standards.
Kerala makes the decision in the face of increasing financial pressure and criticism of its previous non-cooperation with the scheme which had caused the Central funding to be frozen. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated the move, terming it a recognition of the virtues of the scheme, and coalition partner CPI was unhappy with it, calling the move a sellout over the NEP agenda.
The move is also preceded by riotous student movements and movements, especially by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), urging the state to become a part of the programme and enhance the educational infrastructure.
According to the estimates by the officials, approximately 336 schools in Kerala will see the first phase of the scheme being implemented where funds will be received to upgrade the campuses, digital classes, and support students.
According to Minister Sivankutty, funds of the Union government are the share of all citizens. These resources are needed by our children and our education values will be preserved as we proceed with PM SHRI.
