PM SHRI School in UP's Deoria: Smart labs, 80 national awards set new standard
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
PM SHRI Composite School Sahwa in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, has emerged as a model government school, combining smart classrooms, advanced science and astronomy laboratories, and activity-based learning to serve students from nearly 22 villages in the surrounding region. The school's academic record — 16 INSPIRE Award national selections and 64 NMMS scholarships — signals a measurable shift in the quality of public education in the district.
Facilities Driving the Transformation
The school operates a Science Lab, ICT Lab, Astronomy Lab, and a Learning by Doing Lab, giving students hands-on exposure to concepts that were previously confined to textbooks. A well-stocked library and computerised learning stations complement classroom instruction. School principal Muhammad Gazanfar said the institution's focus on activity-based learning through these facilities is designed to provide students with 'practical and innovative education.'
Students have responded positively. Anamika Singh, a student at the school, said the smart classrooms, library, and modern laboratories allow learners to 'comprehend concepts better and enhance their learning experience.' Classmate Jolly Singh added that computerised labs and modern learning resources 'make studies more interesting and help students gain practical knowledge.'
Community Trust and Rising Admissions
Demand for admissions has grown steadily, with families from across the surrounding villages now actively choosing the school over private alternatives. Parent Ranu Singh said PM SHRI Composite School Sahwa has become 'a trusted choice for parents because of its quality education, improved facilities, and positive learning environment.' Another parent, Umapati Singh, noted that modern facilities and dedicated teachers are helping children 'receive better education close to their homes.'
This community confidence is significant in a state where government school enrolment has historically faced competition from low-fee private institutions.
Academic Achievements
The school's performance in competitive scholarship examinations stands out. 16 students have been selected for the national-level INSPIRE Award — a programme run by the Department of Science and Technology to identify scientific talent — while 64 students have received scholarships through the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) examination. These outcomes, according to the school administration, reflect the direct impact of improved infrastructure and teaching quality.
District-Level Progress
District Basic Education Officer Dr Ram Jiavan Maurya highlighted the broader progress made in government schools across Deoria, citing better infrastructure, modern facilities, and enhanced learning opportunities. The Basic Education Department has identified several PM SHRI schools in the district as examples of excellence, pointing to a student-friendly environment and upgraded physical infrastructure as key drivers.
The transformation at Sahwa is part of the Uttar Pradesh government's wider effort under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to upgrade basic education across the state, a push that has included infrastructure investment in government schools over the past several years. How consistently these gains translate across UP's vast network of primary and upper-primary schools will be the real measure of the initiative's reach.